Correlation of preliminary and histopathologic diagnosis of head and neck lesions

Objective: This study aimed at investigating the correlation between preliminary diagnosis and pathological diagnosis of head and neck lesions after dermoscopic examination and excisional biopsy. Methods: We included 89 patients with head and neck lesions admitted to dermatology outpatient clinic. The correlation between preliminary diagnoses and pathology results of head and neck lesions were evaluated. Results: Lesions in 22 of 89 patients (24.7%) were melanocytic and 67 of 89 patients (75.3%) were nonmelanocytic. The number ofpreliminary diagnosis of all patients was no more than three. The clinicopathological correlation rate was 78.65% (70 patients) for the first preliminary diagnosis, 34.83% (31 patients) for the second preliminary diagnosis and 7.86% (7 patients) for the third preliminary diagnosis. Initial preliminary diagnosis and pathological diagnosis were found different in 13 cases. In 3 cases, nodular lesions were excised considering skin malignancy clinically and dermoscopically, but the histopathological results were reported as benign lesions. Conclusion: We think that the cooperation of clinicians and pathologists can increase the exact pathological diagnosis rate andclinicopathological correlation.