Pediatria pre prax 5/2020

Pigmented nevi diagnosis in children

In the article we present an overview of basic diagnostic examination methods that help us in our daily practice to distinguish pigmented skin lesions from non-pigmented, benign ones from malignant and to increase diagnostic score for malignant melanoma. In patients with multiple pigmented lesions, these methods help us decide which lesion needs to be surgically removed and which can still be monitored clinically. Macroscopic evaluation of pigmented skin lesions using ABCDEF rules is a basic diagnostic method that can be very easily used by the physicians, but also by the parents and their children. Dermatoscopy already requires training and experiences. The advantage of macroscopic and microscopic evaluation of pigmented skin lesions is their repeatability and availability. However, the final opinion will be determined only by a tissue biopsy and a detailed histological examination.

Keywords: ABCDEF rules, dermatoscopy, melanoma, congenital nevi