[Melanocytic nevi at special anatomical sites]

Melanocytic nevi at special anatomical sites can evoke a histological picture easily leading to the false diagnosis of a highly atypical, dysplastic nevus or even malignant melanoma. It is therefore most important to recognize these lesions in order to differentiate them from "true" dysplastic nevi or malignant melanomas. The anatomical regions recognized as "special sites" are the head and neck, especially the ear, the milk line (axilla, mamae, mamillae, umbilicus, groin), acral regions (palms and soles, knee, dorsum of the foot) and flexural sites. The specific histological picture of these nevi is described as well as differential diagnostic considerations to differentiate these lesions from malignant melanomas.