Foot pigmentation in Blacks.

Pigmentation of the soles of the feet was studied during postmortem examination of 70 Black patients. Forty-eight (57%) showed some pigmentation (grade II) of the soles of the feet and 4 (6%) showed definite black spots, i.e. focal areas of dense black pigmentation (grade III). A distinction between clinical grade II or grade III lesions could not be made on the basis of microscopic appearance. No true naeyi were seen. Increases of melanin pigmentation and minor degrees of melanocytic proliferation were all that was apparent. Although the development of malignant melanoma may be related to the presence of black spots on the feet of darkly pigmented races, all such spots are certainly not naevi.