Verzi AE, et al. - This study incorporated the scrutiny of the diagnostic value of varying patterns of shiny white streaks (SWS) and their histologic correlate in melanocytic lesions. The inference drawn was that polarized dermoscopy was a valuable diagnostic instrument for the detection of SWS, which served as a feature highly specific for melanoma.

Methods

• An examination was conducted of the polarized dermoscopic images of 1,507 histopathologically diagnosed melanocytic neoplasms.
• The inetnt was to investigate for the presence and pattern of SWS.
• Additionally, an appraisal was carried out of the histology for the correlation.

Results

• SWS were noted in 31/144 (22%) melanomas and 22/1363 (1.6%) benign neoplasms (p < 0.001), among 1507 melanocytic neoplasms.
• Sensitivity and specificity of SWS for melanoma was determined as 22% and 98%, respectively.
• The greatest diagnostic value for melanoma was illustrated by diffuse SWS, with high sensitivity (11.8%) and specificity (99.5%).
• Comparable focal central and peripheral SWS were disclosed in the diagnostic significance.
• The presence of SWS appeared to be highly uncommon in dysplastic nevi.
• On the other hand, SWS were not uncommon in certain benign subgroups of nevi such as Spitz nevi and atypical genital special site nevi.
• A link was revealed between diffuse SWS with greater breadth of deep fibroplasia compared to focal SWS (p=0.009).
• SWS exhibited a connection with greater Breslow depth among melanomas (p=0.007).