Dermoscopy aids in differentiating café-au-lait macules from congenital melanocytic nevi in patients with darker skin phototypes

Pediatr Dermatol. 2024 Jul 9. doi: 10.1111/pde.15697. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

Dermoscopy aids in the diagnosis and management of pigmented growths and disorders of pigmentation in children. However, there is limited literature on the dermoscopic appearance of café-au-lait macules (CALMs) and congenital melanocytic nevi in patients with dark skin. We report two cases of young children with dark skin and many hyperpigmented patches in whom dermoscopy was utilized to accurately diagnose CALMs and facilitate testing for neurofibromatosis.

Keywords: cafe‐au‐lait macules; congenital melanocytic nevi; dermoscopy.