Dermoscopy of Nodular Hidradenoma, a Great Masquerader: A Morphological Study of 28 Cases

Dermatology. 2016;232(1):78-82. doi: 10.1159/000441218. Epub 2015 Nov 26.

Abstract

Background: Nodular hidradenoma is an uncommon, benign, adnexal neoplasm of apocrine origin which is a clinical simulator of other tumours.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the morphological findings of a large series of nodular hidradenomas under dermoscopic observation.

Methods: Dermoscopic examination of 28 cases of nodular hidradenomas was performed to evaluate specific dermoscopic criteria and patterns.

Results: The most frequently occurring dermoscopic features were: (1) in 96.4% of cases, a homogeneous area that covered the lesion partially or totally, the colour of which was pinkish in 46.4% of cases, bluish in 28.6%, red-blue in 14.3%, and brownish in 10.7%; (2) white structures were found in 89.3% of cases; (3) in 82.1% of cases, vascular structures were also observed, especially arborising telangiectasias (39.3%) and polymorphous atypical vessels (28.6%).

Conclusion: Nodular hidradenomas represent a dermoscopic pitfall, being difficult to differentiate clinically and dermoscopically from basal cell carcinomas and melanomas.

MeSH terms

  • Acrospiroma / diagnostic imaging*
  • Acrospiroma / pathology
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Dermoscopy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Sweat Gland Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Sweat Gland Neoplasms / pathology
  • Young Adult