Vascular pattern in dermoscopy of basal cell carcinoma in the H- and non-H-zone

Introduction:
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) located on the face in the H-zone (nose, ears, eyes), the region corresponding to places of fusion of embryonic masses (EFP) has been associated with a higher risk of deeper invasion and more frequent recurrence.

Aim:
To characterize the dermoscopic image of the vessels of BCC in the H-zone and non-H-zone.

Material and methods:
A retrospective analysis of vessels in dermoscopic images of 120 BCC cases in the H-zone and non-H-zone (the rest of the face) was conducted. The H-zone consists of the nose, ears, eyes and the non-H-zone of the forehead, cheek, chin and the rest of the face and neck.

Results:
Of the 120 lesions analysed, there were 41 (34.2%) in the H-zone and 79 (65.8%) in the non-H-zone. Arborizing vessels, as well as the short-fine-telangiectasias were the most predominant types of vessels present, and their frequency in the H- and non-H-zone was comparable. Significant differences were observed for the occurrence of glomerular and comma vessels, both of which occurred less frequently in the H-zone than in the non-H-zone.

Conclusions:
The dermoscopic morphology of the vessels in BCC tumours in the H- and non-H-zones is generally similar, with differences in the presence of glomerular and comma vessels, which occur more frequently in the non-H-zone.