Acral subcorneal hematoma: Additional dermoscopic findings differentiating it from acral melanocytic lesions

Abstract

Background: Acral subcorneal hematoma (ASH) is a dark-colored skin lesion of the palms and/or soles due to bleeding. ASH may be difficult to be clinically differentiated from acral melanocytic lesions, resulting in unnecessary biopsies. Few researches reported the importance of dermoscopy in differentiating ASH from acral melanocytic lesions. Purpose: This study aims at reporting the dermoscopic features in a series of ASH to facilitate precise diagnosis and to avoid performing unnecessary surgical techniques. Methods: Eighteen patients with ASH were studied. Dermoscopic images were obtained using a handheld dermoscope and a dermoscope-adopted phone camera. Paring test was performed on all lesions. Results: The preliminary diagnoses of the lesions were ASH in 55.6%, acral melanocytic nevi in 33.3%, and acral lentiginous melanoma in the remaining 11.1%. Dermoscopically, the lesion colors were red-black in 44.4%, black in 27.8%, and brown in the remaining 27.8%. The pigmentation patterns were homogeneous (structureless) in 55.6%, parallel ridge in 27.8%, and negative pseudonetwork in the remaining 16.6%. Over 44% of the lesions had red and/or brown globular satellites. Peripheral red lines with/without radial extensions were noticed around ASH in 55.6%. Paring led to complete removal of pigmentation in all ASH (100%), with the appearance of post-paring blood-tinged serum in 55.6%. No skin biopsies were performed. Conclusion: Although there is clinical similarity between ASH and acral melanocytic lesions, dermoscopy and paring test can facilitate a precise diagnosis and markedly decrease the need for unnecessary invasive procedures.