Ann Dermatol.  2021 Jun;33(3):275-277. 10.5021/ad.2021.33.3.275.

Non-Invasive Diagnosis of a Facial Tumor Using Dermoscopy and Successful Treatment with 595 nm Pulsed Dye Laser

• Ahn GR
• Jeong GJ
• Park SJ
• Park KY
• Seo SJ
• Lee HW

• KMID: 2515747
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5021/ad.2021.33.3.275

Abstract

Clear cell acanthoma (CCA) is an uncommon, benign epithelial tumor presenting as a well-defined, slow-growing solitary nodule. The diagnosis of CCA is usually based on clinical and histopathological evaluation of the tumor.However, when such type of benign tumor occurs on an exposed area, a biopsy is not always the best diagnostic option since it may leave scar. The recent advent of dermoscopy has offered an accurate and non-invasive method to diagnose CCA without resorting to skin biopsy. A 40-year-old male presented with a shiny, erythematous-to-brown, flattened nodule on the left cheek. Dermoscopic examination revealed a ‘string of pearls’ vascular pattern, a characteristic dermoscopic feature of CCA. Under the clinical and dermoscopic impression of CCA, a 595 nm pulsed dye laser (PDL) therapy targeting the vascular tissue in the superficial dermis of the lesion was chosen for a minimally invasive treatment.After repeated sessions of PDL, an optimal cosmetic outcome was achieved and no recurrence was recorded during the follow-up period. Herein, we report a case of presumed CCA which was successfully diagnosed and treated by utilizing non-invasive modalities.

Keyword

Clear cell acanthoma; Dermoscopy; Facial acanthoma; Pulsed dye laser