Vulvar pigmented lesions: a retrospective study and a review of literature

Aims: The authors aimed to accumulate knowledge and experience on clinical and dermoscopic findings of female genital pigmented lesions. Materials and Methods: The study was performed on a retrospective basis by reviewing the patient files with a diagnosis of genital hyperpigmentation. Dermoscopic findings, clinical diagnosis, and histopathologic diagnosis, if any, were documented. Results: A total of 40 patients with 70 pigmented lesions were reported. A great majority (75%) of these 40 patients were referred by a gynecologist. The most common diagnosis was genital melanosis (68.5%). Dermoscopically, parallel and ring patterns were present in the great majority of genital melanosis (72.9%). In melanocytic nevi (MN), dermoscopy revealed reticular, globular, homogenous, and cobblestone patterns. Conclusion: Knowing the frequently encountered pigmented lesions of female genitalia and its dermoscopic features is helpful in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant tumors. Pigmented lesions on the genital area are unnoticed by the patients, and their referral by a gynecologist is the commonest way to screen.

Dermoscopy; Pigmentation; Female genitalia.

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