Dermoscopic Features of Acral Palmoplantar Nevi: Age and Site Correlation in a North African Cohort

Introduction: Palmoplantar nevi (PPN) are common and sometimes difficult to diagnose because of their unusual clinical, dermoscopic, and histological features, often mistaken for acral lentiginous melanoma. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the different dermoscopic patterns of palmoplantar nevi and their correlation with age and location. Methods: This was a retrospective-prospective cohort study of a sample of the Moroccan population collected over 2 years. The diagnosis was based mainly on clinical and dermoscopic evaluation, and a biopsy performed in a single patient. Results: A total of 140 patients with 144 PPNs were included in this study. PPNs were more frequently located on the palms (64%) than on the soles (36%). The parallel furrow pattern (PFP) was the most frequent in 44% of patients, followed by the lattice pattern (17,4%), then the homogeneous pattern (16.7%), the fibrillar pattern (10,4%), the compound pattern (7%), the globular pattern (2 %), the dotted pattern (2 %), and finally, the atypical pattern (0.7%). We found a correlation between fibrillar and globular patterns with younger patients (P <0.05) lattice pattern with pressure-free regions such as the arch and palmar region. In contrast, the fibrillar pattern was associated with heels and PFP with digital location. Conclusion: Recognition of these patterns is crucial for accurate diagnosis and to avoid unnecessary excisions.