Dotted vessels

So, knowing the appearances of various patterns is an important skill for diagnosing melanocytic lesions.

Let us now focus on specific structures.

Benign Lesions Malignant Lesions

NetworkNetwork

A network consists of uniform light to dark brown pigmented lines and hypopigmented holes, and thins at the periphery.

The network is non-uniform in color, isasymmetricallydistributed and often is accentuated at the periphery.

Uniform Network Non-uniform Network

Uniform Network Non-Uniform Network

Uniform Network Non-Uniform Network

For benign lesions, For benign lesions, the hyperpigmented the hyperpigmented structureless area is structureless area is either centrally located either centrally located or extends almost to or extends almost to the periphery of the the periphery of the lesion.lesion.

For melanomas, For melanomas, hyperpigmented hyperpigmented structureless areas structureless areas are asymmetrically are asymmetrically located.located.

Benign Lesions Malignant Lesions

Dark, Structureless AreaDark, Structureless Area