A 51-year-old patient consulted for this lesion located on his back.
Dermoscopy revealed :
- arborizing vessels
- ulcerations
- chrysalis structures
This lesion was a basal cell carcinoma.
Crystalline or chrysalis structures are white shiny streaks that can only be seen with
polarized dermatoscopes.
Crystaline or chrysalis structures are most commonly observed in basal cell carcinoma and invasive melanomas and rarely seen in nevi. In melanoma,they reflect increased tumor thickness and progression.
The significance of crystalline/chrysalis structures in the diagnosis of melanocytic and nonmelanocytic lesions. Y. Balagula, R.P. Braun, H. S. Rabinovitz et al. J Am Acad Dermatol 2012;67:194.e1-8.
Crystaline or chrysalis structures are most commonly observed in basal cell carcinoma and invasive melanomas and rarely seen in nevi. In melanoma,they reflect increased tumor thickness and progression.
The significance of crystalline/chrysalis structures in the diagnosis of melanocytic and nonmelanocytic lesions. Y. Balagula, R.P. Braun, H. S. Rabinovitz et al. J Am Acad Dermatol 2012;67:194.e1-8.
