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

Pizzichetta MA, Massone C, Grandi G, Pelizzo G, Soyer HP

Division of Medical Oncology C-Preventive Oncology, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, Italy. pizzichetta@cro.it

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.

Published 18 April 2006 in Arch Dermatol, 142(4): 479-83.
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