A new perspective on the treatment and management of atypical nevi: A blinded retrospective analysis of atypical nevi utilizing line-field confocal optical coherence tomography.

BACKGROUND

Limitations exist among current noninvasive imaging techniques for evaluating equivocal melanocytic lesions. Line-field confocal optical coherence tomography was introduced to bridge the gap between these technologies.

OBJECTIVE

To further establish this device as a useful imaging modality and refine the current criteria for differentiating between benign and malignant lesions.

METHODS

Seventy-five lesions were included in this study, and each was subjected to a biopsy, short-term mole monitoring, or DermTech Melanoma Test. The existing criteria for line-field confocal optical coherence tomography were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTS

The statistically significant criteria for distinguishing between benign vs malignant lesions include the presence of atypical honeycomb, dendritic cells with moderate or severe levels of pleomorphism, and clefting.

LIMITATIONS: This study has a limited sample size and was conducted at a single center.

CONCLUSION

We have identified diagnostic criteria that can be useful in analyzing equivocal melanocytic lesions.