Influence of PUVA therapy on dermoscopic features of acquired melanocytic nevi

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether PUVA therapy can induce changes in the dermoscopic image of acquired melanocytic nevi. In this study, 28 acquired melanocytic nevi of 14 patients undergoing PUVA therapy were examined. Two nevi of morphologically similar features were selected in each patient. During UVA radiation, 14 nevi were protected from UVA exposure and 14 nevi were left unprotected. Before and after 3 months of PUVA therapy, all nevi were documented under standardized conditions by means of a Dermaphot apparatus. Color dermoscopic images of all nevi were examined by two investigators for size, color and structural features (pigment network-streaks, brown globules, black dots). After PUVA therapy, an increase in size (p < 0.05 in protected nevi and p < 0.01 in unprotected nevi) and a general color darkening (p < 0.01 for both groups) were documented in both groups. While significant structural changes (broadness of pigment network, formation of focal branched streaks, increasing in number and size of brown globules) were detected in unprotected nevi (p < 0.05), no significant changes were in protected nevi (p > 0.05).