• Anna Liza C Agero, Salvatore Taliercio, Stephen W Dusza, Cristina Salaro, Paul Chu, and Ashfaq A Marghoob.
• Dermatology Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York 10022, USA.
• Arch Dermatol. 2006 Nov 1; 142 (11): 1431-7.

ObjectiveTo evaluate dermoscopic features and patterns of dermatofibromas using conventional and polarized light dermoscopy.DesignDermatofibromas were imaged using conventional nonpolarized contact dermoscopy (NPD), polarized contact dermoscopy (PCD), and polarized noncontact dermoscopy, followed by evaluation and comparison of dermoscopic features of the lesions.SettingDermatology clinic specializing in pigmented lesions. Patients Fifty patients with dermatofibromas.ResultsThe most common features of dermatofibromas observed with NPD and PCD were central white scarlike patches (37 [74%] and 42 [84%], respectively), brown globulelike structures (21 [42%] and 22 [44%]), vascular structures (24 [48%] and 22 [44%]), and a peripheral fine pigmented network (36 [72%] for both). A newly described feature observed with PCD was a central white patch characterized by shiny white streaks. With polarized noncontact dermoscopy, the most characteristic feature was a central pink hue or "vascular blush" (44 [88%]) and visibility of blood vessels (41 [82%]). The most common pattern identified with NPD and PCD was the combination of a peripheral pigmented network and a central white patch in 28 (56%) and 31 (62%) of lesions, respectively. With polarized noncontact dermoscopy, the most common pattern was a central pink hue with a peripheral pigmented network (23 [46%]). There was good to excellent agreement when comparing NPD with PCD images, but there was a variable level of agreement when polarized noncontact dermoscopy images were compared with NPD and PCD images.ConclusionsConventional and polarized light dermoscopy are not equivalent but may be complementary. This study highlights some salient differences. We were able to identify new dermoscopic features and patterns not previously described with conventional dermoscopy. These new criteria can aid in the diagnosis of dermatofibroma.

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