A CLINICOPATHOLOGICAL STUDY OF PIGMENTED (MELANOCYTIC AND NONMELANOCYTIC) SKIN LESIONS WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO SOME RARE ENTITIES

Background and Aim: Pigmented skin lesions, ranging from benign to malignant, are clinically and histopathologically diverse, requiring accurate categorization for effective management. This study aims to analyze the histomorphological patterns of various pigmented skin lesions, focusing on distinguishing between melanocytic and non-melanocytic types, with a particular emphasis on identifying rare and diagnostically challenging entities. Methodology: A retrospective clinicopathological study was conducted at the Department of Pathology, Gandhi Medical College, Bhopal, from 2022-2023. Out of 200 skin biopsy cases, 35 pigmented lesions were examined. Data on age, gender, lesion location, and clinical history were recorded. Histopathological evaluation involved hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, supplemented by special stains as needed. Lesions were categorized as melanocytic or non-melanocytic, and descriptive statistics were used for analysis. Of the 35 cases, 28.5% were melanocytic, while 71.5% Results: were nonmelanocytic. Melanocytic lesions were more prevalent in males and younger individuals (<21 years), commonly appearing on sun-exposed areas such as the cheeks. Non-melanocytic lesions showed a higher occurrence in females and spanned a broader age range, predominantly affecting areas like the palms and back. Clinical-histopathological concordance was 60%, with higher consistency in melanocytic lesions (70%) compared to non-melanocytic (56%). This study Conclusion: underscores the importance of histopathological analysis in accurately diagnosing pigmented skin lesions.