Definition

The starburst pattern is characterized by the presence of pigmented streaks in a radial arrangement at the edge of a given pigmented skin lesion.

Diagnostic significance

The starburst pattern is stereotypical for Reed nevus, although a certain variability of this morphologic finding is common. Malignant melanomas, however, may sometimes display morphologic features closely resembling this starburst pattern, thus representing a major pitfall (false-negative cases).