Objective:

To evaluate dermoscopic features that distinguish malignant from benign acral lesions.

Approach:

Key Findings:

• The parallel ridge pattern was present in 79.6% of melanomas and 0.6% of benign nevi, with 80% sensitivity and 99.4% specificity.
• Multicomponent patterns were found in 45.8% of melanomas and 5.0% of benign nevi.
• The parallel furrow pattern was seen in 51.8% of benign nevi compared to 8.9% of melanomas.
• Fibrillar patterns showed similar rates in melanoma and benign nevi (19.0% vs 14.9%) and were not statistically associated with malignancy.

Interpretation:

The parallel ridge and multicomponent patterns are strong indicators of melanoma, while parallel furrow and latticelike patterns are more indicative of benign lesions.

Limitations:

• Heterogeneity in study design and dermoscopic definitions.
• Many studies were retrospective and single-center.
• Limited reporting on patient skin type, especially in diverse populations.

Conclusion:

A hierarchical, multi-feature approach is recommended for evaluating acral lesions, emphasizing the need for further research in diverse populations.

Sources:

• JAMA Dermatology
Source

Based on findings from:

Parallel Ridge Pattern Signals Acral Melanoma Risk

Andrea Surnit. MDSpire News, 2026.

https://news.mdspire.com/dermatology/articles/parallel-ridge-pattern-signals-acral-melanoma-risk/

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