Management and dermoscopy of fast-growing nevi in pregnancy: case report and literature review

BACKGROUND: The relationship between pregnancy and a change in melanocytic nevi is still controversial. Moreover, management of the rapid evolution of a nevus in an unauspicious melanocytic lesion can be a clinical challenge in pregnancy. METHODS: This article examines a case of a fast-growing deep penetrating nevus in a pregnant woman and provides a literature review of articles relative to pregnancy and nevi change, the management of fast-growing pigmented lesions, and the role and usefulness of dermoscopy in these cases. RESULTS: Recent studies have documented that pregnancy is not associated with any significant change in the size of melanocytic nevi. The management of fast-growing melanocytic lesions during this period compulsorily leans toward excision. Dermoscopy can be useful, providing clinicohistopathologic correlations and a better assignment of the lesion. CONCLUSION: This case report and review provide important management considerations for nevi during pregnancy. Early intervention with aggressive treatment measures is the best management for fast-growing lesions, and epiluminescence dermoscopy can assist the management, although still remaining a second-level examination, useful for documentation and for a better classification of the lesion.     

Acquired unilateral melanocytic nevi in otherwise normal skin

We describe a case with numerous melanocytic nevi in otherwise normal skin. A 5-year-old girl presented with more than 100 small pigment lesions on her left arm, shoulder and upper back without underlying light brown macule. The pigment lesions were first found on her left forearm at 3 months old and gradually increased along with her growth. Skin biopsy from a pigmented lesion shows a pathological change in compound-type melanocytic nevus without any atypical changes. Speckled lentiginous nevus is known to have multiple melanocytic lesions on the underlying brown macule from birth. Partial unilateral lentiginosis is characterized by unilateral lentigines with histopathological changes in lentigo but not melanocytic proliferation in the dermis. Agminated melanocytic nevi tend to be clustered together in a circumscribed area, whereas in the present case melanocytic nevi were segmentally arranged but not agminated. We consider that this is an unusual type of mosaicism of melanocytic disorders.     

An atypical melanocytic lesion without genomic abnormalities shows locoregional metastasis

A subset of difficult melanocytic lesions exists with histopathologic features that evade diagnostic consensus from even expert dermatopathologists. Comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) has emerged as a useful diagnostic tool to categorize these lesions, by identifying known chromosomal aberrations in malignant melanoma or the lack thereof in melanocytic nevi. However, determining a lesion's biological behavior primarily on CGH is limited by a relatively small series of corroborative cases without long term follow up. We present a case of a pigmented lesion on the right cheek of a 4 year old boy. The lesion had features of a deep penetrating nevus, but the presence of frequent mitoses, tumor infiltrating lymphocytes, and microscopic foci of tumor necrosis were concerning for an unusual melanoma. We termed this lesion a melanocytic tumor of uncertain potential (MELTUMP) for these reasons. High-resolution array-CGH performed elsewhere on the lesion demonstrated no melanoma-associated genomic abnormalities. A sentinel lymph node biopsy of this patient later revealed multiple small tumor deposits. Although the presence of nodal involvement in similar lesions often do not lead to progressive and fatal disease, this case illustrates that atypical melanocytic lesions with nodal involvement may not demonstrate genomic abnormalities by CGH, and that histopathologic assessment remains paramount in defining these difficult melanocytic lesions. Further comprehensive study of these lesions is needed.     

Numerous,small, darkly pigmented melanocytic nevi: the cheetah phenotype

BACKGROUND: The presence of multiple atypical nevi or numerous melanocytic nevi increases the risk for the development of cutaneous melanoma. OBJECTIVE: We sought to describe a distinct clinical phenotype characterized by numerous (>100), small (< or =4 mm), darkly pigmented melanocytic nevi that are uniform in color. METHODS: Biopsy specimens from 6 patients (3 men and 3 women; age range, 44 to 81 years) with this clinical phenotype were reviewed and compared with a database of melanocytic lesions analyzed by the Yale Dermatopathology Laboratory (YDL) in the year 2000. RESULTS: Of the 6 patients, 4 had multiple primary melanomas develop (n = 2-4), ranging from in situ to 1.0 mm in depth. The other 2 patients each had 1 nevus with severe cytologic atypia. When compared with the YDL database, our patients were more likely to have the following pigmented lesions: junctional melanocytic nevi, junctional lentiginous nevi, junctional nevi with cytologic atypia, and simple lentigines (P <.001). CONCLUSIONS: The longitudinal evaluation of patients with this phenotype can be challenging because similar-appearing pigmented lesions (small and uniformly dark-brown to black) had a range of histologic diagnoses from simple lentigo to junctional lentiginous nevus to thin melanoma.     

Dermoscopy of an acral congenital melanocytic nevus

Congenital melanocytic nevi carry a risk for malignant transformation into melanoma, therefore early detection of suspicious features is crucial to reduce mortality rates. Dermoscopy improves the early detection of melanoma while reducing the number of unnecessary excisions of benign pigmented skin lesions. Dermoscopically, congenital melanocytic nevi are often characterized by the presence of a cobblestone pattern, but to date, little is known about the dermoscopic features of acral congenital melanocytic nevi. We report an acral congenital melanocytic nevus typified by the presence of three different dermoscopic patterns that are commonly seen in acquired melanocytic nevi of palms and soles.     

Sclerosing nevus with pseudomelanomatous features

Background: Among the pigmented lesions with a central area of scar, we found a group of cases histologically characterized by striking architectural alteration of the melanocytic component, but with no cytological atypia and mitotically quiescent. The aim of the current study was to assess the biological nature of such lesions. Methods: We selected 19 of these melanocytic neoplasms that had the following characteristics: (a) a clinically evident whitish central area suggestive of regression (with no history of a previous surgical procedure or trauma), (b) histological features of fibrous scar‐like tissue at the center of the lesion, (c) the presence of large, confluent and unusually shaped melanocytic nests at the dermoepidermal junction and in the dermis, (d) a pagetoid spread of melanocytes above the epidermal basal layer and (e) remnants of nevus tissue at the border of the scar. The lesions showed no evidence of cytological atypia, expansive nodules of melanocytes, significant numbers of mitoses or cellular necrosis. Results: All the cases have been followed up and none have recurred or metastasized. Histologically, these neoplasms have important similarities with the so‐called recurrent nevus, nevi on lichen sclerosus and nevi developed during or following cutaneous inflammatory and sclerosing processes. The origin of the scar in each case was obscure but was probably related to minor unnoticed trauma or to chronic friction on a nevus. In few cases, the fibrosis was probably the result of partial regression of the nevus or a sequel to folliculitis. The pseudomelanomatous features appear to be related to the presence of the scar, as already reported for nevi that are involved in fibrotic or scarring processes. In our study, the nevi involved in the fibrotic process were congenital nevi and common or dysplastic nevi. One case was a Spitz nevus. Conclusions: From our data we concluded that, despite their worrisome clinical and histological aspect, the lesions described in this case series were most probably benign melanocytic nevi, involved by a fibrotic process combined with pseudomelanomatous proliferation. The lack of cytological atypia, mitoses and expansive nodules allowed us to differentiate these lesions from regressing melanomas.     

The many faces of blue nevus: a clinicopathologic study

BACKGROUND: In recent years, several histopathologic variants of blue nevus have been identified, whose clinical and dermoscopic correlates need further clarification. METHODS: A comparative evaluation of histopathologic and dermoscopic features was carried out on 52 melanocytic proliferations belonging to the morphologic spectrum of blue nevus. RESULTS: On dermoscopy, all lesions showed a homogeneous, structureless pigment pattern, with a curious variety of colors (blue, white-blue, black, brown, and polychromatic). Histopathologically, the majority of blue lesions were common blue nevi (11/19); the majority of white-blue lesions were 'hypochromic' (sclerotic, hypomelanotic, and amelanotic) blue nevi (17/22); all the black lesions were 'compound' blue nevi (2/2); the majority of brown lesions were combined blue nevi (3/4); the unusual polychromatic dermoscopic appearance was often associated with a histopathologic diagnosis of deep penetrating nevus (2/5). CONCLUSION: A dermoscopic-pathologic approach now allows us to identify 'blue' (common) blue nevi, 'white' (hypochromic) blue nevi, 'black' (compound) blue nevi, 'brown' (combined) blue nevi, and 'polychromatic' (deep penetrating) blue nevi. A better recognition of the many dermoscopic faces of blue nevi is expected to give a morphologic guideline for the clinical management of these lesions.     

Targetoid hemosiderotic nevus. A trauma-induced simulator of malignant melanoma

BACKGROUND: Simulators of malignant melanoma comprise a heterogenous group of melanocytic and nonmelanocytic lesions of the skin. Among frequent clinical mimickers of melanoma are injured melanocytic nevi. Any change in the clinical appearance of a pre-existing nevus should alert the clinician to exclude the possibility of malignant transformation in order to early identify a lesion at a stage when complete cure can still be achieved. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to present the clinical, dermoscopic and histopathologic findings of a series of acquired melanocytic nevi which abruptly developed a pigmented peripheral halo, presumably following minor trauma. METHODS: A series of 6 cases of acquired melanocytic nevi which suddenly developed a targetoid halo were included in the study. All lesions were evaluated by dermoscopy. Three cases were surgically removed at different stages of evolution and submitted to histopathologic examination. In all cases, follow-up was obtained. RESULTS: All the lesions arose on trauma-prone skin sites of young women. The sudden development of an asymptomatic, targetoid halo on a long-lasting, acquired exophytic nevus was the main presentation. Whereas the central nevus persisted, the ecchymotic halo ultimately disappeared. Histopathologic examination disclosed changes of the traumatized nevus in the central part, whereas the ring showed hemorrhage and hemosiderin deposits. Increased numbers of small vessels with hobnail characteristics were associated features. CONCLUSIONS: Targetoid hemosiderotic nevus is a distinctive clinicopathologic variant of traumatized acquired melanocytic nevus which should be included in the list of clinical simulators of melanoma.     

Dermoscopic and Clinical Features of Pigmented Skin Lesions of the Genital Area

BACKGROUND

The dermoscopic features of vulvar melanosis lesions are well known. To our knowledge, there are only a few case reports about dermoscopic features of pigmented genital lesions in male patients.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate dermoscopic and clinical characteristics of benign lesions of the genital area in both males and females, and to assess the distinguishing dermoscopic criteria of vulvar melanosis and atypical melanocytic nevi of the genital type.

METHODS

68 patients with pigmented genital lesions were included in this observational study (28 male and 40 female). A punch biopsy was taken from all pigmented lesions and histopathological examination was performed on all specimens.

RESULTS

We histopathologically diagnosed: genital melanosis in 40 lesions, atypical melanocytic nevi of the genital type in 15 lesions, melanocytic nevi in 9 lesions, seborrheic keratosis in 4 lesions. The most frequent locations were the glans penis (19 patients, 67.9%) in males and the labia minora (19 patients, 47.5%) in females. The mean age of patients with atypical nevi (28,6 ± 11,36) was significantly lower than the mean age of patients with genital melanosis (47,07 ± 15,33).

CONCLUSIONS

Parallel pattern is prominent in genital melanosis, ring-like pattern is only observed in genital melanosis. Most pigmented lesions on the genital area are solitary. Blue-white veil and irregular dots are only observed in AMNGT. According to these results, we propose that histopathological examination is performed, especially if blue-white veil and irregular dots are found by dermoscopy.     

Morphologic changes of acquired melanocytic nevi with eccentric foci of hyperpigmentation ("Bolognia sign") assessed by dermoscopy

BACKGROUND: Melanocytic nevi with eccentric foci of hyperpigmentation ("Bolognia sign") can be considered as a melanoma-simulating type of acquired melanocytic nevus. We report on the morphologic changes of this type of melanocytic nevus over a 39-month period of dermoscopic follow-up. OBSERVATIONS: A 5-year-old girl had a 4-mm brown papule with a peripheral blue-black area on her right upper arm. The eccentric focus of the hyperpigmentation corresponded dermoscopically to a blue-gray area of pigmentation associated with irregular brown-black globules or dots and partially with a superficial black network. After 39 months, a globular type of acquired melanocytic nevus was detectable, which clinically and dermoscopically appeared to be completely benign. A nearly identical situation was observed in 5 other melanocytic nevi, underlining the involution of the pigmented foci in these nevi. The histopathologic diagnoses of 2 lesions were consistent with a compound type of acquired melanocytic nevus with eccentric foci of hyperpigmentation. CONCLUSIONS: Dermoscopy allows identification of a morphologic pathway of modifications, probably typical for this type of melanocytic nevus in children, and therefore enables avoidance of surgical excision with attendant hypertrophic scarring in children. Conversely, in adults, when dermoscopic follow-up of melanocytic nevi reveals eccentric foci of hyperpigmentation, surgical excision of the lesion is indicated.     

Occurrence of melanoma in "dysplastic" nevus spilus: report of case and analysis by flow cytometry

We report a case of melanoma arising in a large nevus spilus. On histologic examination, the nevus spilus had diagnostic features of melanocytic dysplasia. Further characterization by flow cytometry showed DNA-aneuploidy within the melanoma as well as in one of the darker pigmented papules within the nevus spilus. The significance of this finding and a review of melanomas originating in nevi spili are presented.     

Pointillist nevi

BACKGROUND: Atypical melanocytic nevi and cutaneous melanoma are often marked by variation in color. However, there are examples of "benign" explanations for irregularities in pigmentation, such as perifollicular hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to correlate the clinical and histologic features of 3 unusual melanocytic nevi consisting exclusively of multiple, tiny, dark brown to black dots on a skin-colored background, which we have termed pointillist nevi. METHODS: Histologic examination was performed of the single pointillist nevus from each of 3 patients (all women; aged 28, 39, and 47 years). RESULTS: The diameters of the pointillist nevi were 2, 3.5, and 5.5 mm. Individual dots were approximately 0.1-0.25 mm. Each of the 3 nevi showed a different histologic correlate for the dots, either (1) discrete, densely pigmented, junctional melanocytic nests; (2) isolated dermal pigmented melanocytic nests; or (3) discrete clusters of melanophages in the papillary dermis. CONCLUSION: Pointillist nevi are benign melanocytic nevi with histologic correlates similar to those of the "brown globules" observed by dermoscopy in uniformly pigmented nevi. However, the dots seen in pointillist nevi can be visualized without magnification. The clinical and histologic features of pointillist nevi add to the spectrum of unusual patterns of pigmentation that may be encountered in benign melanocytic lesions.     

Dysplastic pointillist nevus

BACKGROUND: Three cases of pointillist nevus, which is a distinctive clinical type of benign melanocytic nevus with variegated pigment, have been described in the literature to date. OBSERVATIONS: A 24-year-old man presented with an acquired melanocytic lesion composed of multiple tiny pigmented dots. Dermoscopy revealed multiple brown globules on a reddish skin-colored background, and histologic examination demonstrated architectural disorder with cytologic atypia.Conclusion To the best of our knowledge, we report a case of dysplastic pointillist nevus.     

Atypical Compound Nevus Arising in Mature Cystic Ovarian Teratoma (Dermoid Cyst)

Mature cystic ovarian teratomas (MCOT) are the most common ovarian neoplasm and contain components of one or more embryonic germ cell layers. Ectodermal components are most common. Rarely (1–3%), malignant transformation can occur in MCOT and are usually epidermoid, although multiple case reports of melanomas have been described. Four compound nevi and three blue nevi have also been reported; however, atypical (dysplastic) nevi have not been reported to our knowledge. A 28‐year‐old woman presented with a right ovarian mass. A 5 × 4 × 2.5 cm cystic ovarian mass was filled with hair and grumous keratinaceous debris. The lining was smooth with a 1 cm dark macule. Histologically, the mass was predominantly lined by epidermis and appendages. The pigmented lesion consisted predominantly of melanocytic nests irregularly disposed on sides and tips of distorted rete ridges, some with bridging between adjacent rete ridges, and junctional extension lateral to the small dermal component of nevus. Slight fibrosis invested some rete ridges. Moderate atypia was present. Although melanomas and melanocytic nevi have rarely been described previously in MCOT, we present the first atypical (dysplastic) compound nevus, to our knowledge. This case expands the spectrum of melanocytic lesions arising in MCOT.     

Histological features and outcome of inverted type‐A melanocytic nevi

The presence of enlarged epithelioid/spindled nests located deep in the reticular dermis of a biphasic melanocytic neoplasm can mimic melanoma arising in a pre‐existing nevus, causing over‐interpretation of malignancy. We aimed to define the clinicopathologic significance of epithelioid/spindled nests in melanocytic nevi. Retrospectively using clinical and histologic information, we characterized 121 patients with a single lesion showing epithelioid/spindled melanocytes in the reticular dermis or subcutaneous fat, surrounded by melanophages, sometimes blending in with the adnexa. The majority of nevi occurred in women in the ages of 10 to 39 years, where the most frequent presentation was a changing mole. While 78% of the lesions displayed an anatomic (Clark’s) level of IV‐V, there was no ulceration, significant regression or inflammation. Up to 2 mitoses were found in only 12% of the cases, not correlating with the severity of cytological atypia. No recurrence or metastasis occurred during 45.5 months (mean) of clinical follow up in 26 patients. Notwithstanding the deep dermal extension, these findings suggest a benign histopathology and clinical outcome. Having compared the overlapping histopathology and clinical features between deep penetrating/clonal nevus and combined nevus, we posit that “inverted type‐A nevus” might be considered a variant of the two.     

Subungual blue nevus with combined phenotypic features

Blue nail dyschromia may represent melanocytic, vascular, or other etiologies. A case of a subungual blue nodule is presented, with a pseudo-clubbed nail. On histopathologic examination, there was a combined subungual blue nevus, with features of a common blue nevus and a pigmented epithelioid melanocytoma. This unusual presentation is reviewed, with a discussion of blue nail dyschromia and subungual blue nevi.     

Neurocutaneous melanosis: electron microscopic comparison of the pigmented melanocytic nevi of skin and meningeal melanosis

This is a report of a 28-day-old male infant who had concommitant pigmented melanocytic nevi and meningeal melanosis. Pigment cells of the two lesions were observed by electron microscopy and compared with previous reports of nevus cell nevus, meningeal melanosis, meningeal melanocytoma and leptomeningeal malignant melanoma. Based on our findings, we have reached the following three conclusions: (1) Pigment cells in the nevus and meningeal melanosis in our case were similar in their cellular structures and their relationship to blood vessels and consistent with a neural crest origin for pigment cells; (2) Ultrastructural characteristics of the meningeal melanosis in our case were similar to those of the meningeal melanocytoma; (3) Pigment cells in meningeal melanosis have tumorous potential and may tend to cause malignant changes.     

Meyerson痣6例临床及病理分析

目的:探讨Meyerson痣临床及组织病理特征。方法:回顾性分析2015年1月至2020年1月第四军医大学西京皮肤医院确诊的6例Meyerson痣患者临床及病理资料。结果:6例患者中,男3例,女3例,年龄7个月至28岁,中位年龄10.5岁。3例皮损位于四肢,3例位于躯干。4例发生于先天性色素痣,2例发生于获得性色素痣。...     

Molecular diagnosis of a benign proliferative nodule developing in a congenital melanocytic nevus in a 3-month-old infant

Small and intermediate congenital melanocytic nevi have a lifetime risk of developing melanoma estimated to range from 0% to 5%. Secondary benign melanocytic proliferations commonly arise in congenital melanocytic nevi; however, some are difficult to definitively distinguish from malignant melanoma based on clinical features and conventional histology. Herein, we describe the use of comparative genomic hybridization in supporting the diagnosis of a deep penetrating nevus developing within a congenital melanocytic nevus of a 3-month-old infant.     

Epithelioid blue nevus: neoplasm Sui generis or variation on a theme?

The epithelioid blue nevus has recently been associated with the Carney complex, which is characterized by myxomas, spotty skin pigmentation, endocrine overactivity, and schwannomas. Using the general criteria proposed by Carney and Ferreiro, similar lesions were identified in 33 patients with no evidence of the Carney complex. Those lesions presented on the face, trunk and extremities of 15 males and 18 females. The mean age was 35 years, much older than those in the Carney complex (mean 16.3 years). Clinical diagnoses included malignant blue nevus, atypical nevus, melanoma, congenital nevus, and dermatofibroma. The lesions were symmetric, predominantly dermal melanocytic proliferations arranged as short fascicles, small nests, and single cells. Large polygonal and epithelioid melanocytes with moderate pleomorphism, and occasional nuclear pseudoinclusions were admixed with heavily pigmented dendritic and spindled melanocytes and melanophages. Rare mitotic figures were seen in some cases. The neoplasms showed a morphologic spectrum that encompassed a group of combined blue nevi with epithelioid melanocytes and other Spitz's nevus characteristics. These epithelioid combined nevi (ECN) fell into three phenotypes with morphologies that most closely paralleled those pictured by Carney and Ferreiro in the Carney complex: the classic or Carney complex pattern (ECN-CC), those that showed overlap with deep penetrating nevus (ECN-DPN), and those that have many dermal Spitz's nevus features, [BLue + SpITZ's nevus; (ECN-BLITZ)I. In six cases, there was such an admixture of features that it was difficult to ascribe them to one of the groups. Nine lesions had associated banal congenital nevus. Follow-up that averaged over 2.5 years (31 months) (range 6-162 months) showed no evidence of malignancy or recurrent disease after excision. Epithelioid combined nevus is a type of combined nevus with blue nevus and Spitz's nevus features, which may or may not be associated with the Carney complex. It shows morphologic overlap with the epithelioid blue nevus described by Carney (ECN-CC), deep penetrating nevus (ECN-DPN), and blue nevus with intradermal Spitz's (desmoplastic) nevus (ECN-BLITZ). Epithelioid combined nevus is thought to be a fitting nosologic designation for all of these lesions.