Peer Reviewed
Perspectives on dermoscopy

A pigmented macule on the nose: what is your diagnosis?

Helena Collgros, Pascale Guitera
Abstract

The differential diagnosis of pigmented macules of the face can be challenging. Dermoscopy may help, and adding confocal microscopy improves sensitivity and specificity; histopathology, however, remains the gold standard.

Key Points
    Case presentation

    A man in his 60s presented for a full skin check. He had heavily sun-damaged skin and a past history of lentigo maligna on the nose that was treated three years ago with cryotherapy and imiquimod. He had noted some new pigmentation arising in that area. On clinical examination, an irregular pigmented macule of two colours was seen (Figure 1). Differential diagnoses included solar lentigo, flat seborrhoeic keratosis, pigmented actinic keratosis and, most importantly, recurrent lentigo maligna.

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