PIGMENTED STREAKS IN MELANOMA SCARS

Abstract. Fifty consecutive patients from our melanoma clinic were examined for the presence of transverse pigmented streaks in their melanoma surgical scars. Thirty‐four (68%) patients were noted to have pigmented streaks in their melanoma scars. Ten of these 34 patients also had similar pigmented streaks in their nonmelanoma surgical scars. Long‐term follow‐up (mean 81.7 ± 14.5 months, minimum 36 months) of these patients with the melanomascar pigmented streaks indicates that the streaks are benign. Histologic examination of a representative pigmented streak revealed basal layer hyper‐pigmentation without melanocytic hyperplasia. These streaks are frequently associated with the presence of freckles. However, this association may simply be coincidental. 1990 American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Inc.