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Published on: May 17, 2024
Melanocytic nevi with features of Spitz nevi and Clark's/dysplastic nevi ("Spark's" nevi)
Christine J Ko1, Jennifer M McNiff, Earl J Glusac
1Department of Dermatology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA. christine.ko@yale.edu
Background:
Nevi with cytologic characteristics of Spitz nevus and architectural features of Clark's/dysplastic nevus are not well recognized in the literature.
Methods:
Twenty-seven nevi with characteristics of Spitz nevus and Clark's/dysplastic nevus are reviewed.
Results:
The patients' mean age was 33 years, and 17/27(63%) patients were female. Lesions were most frequent on the trunk and lower extremities. Histopathologically, these nevi were composed of large, monomorphous spindled and/or epithelioid melanocytes. Spindle cells were often oriented parallel to the epidermis, with fused rete and lamellar fibroplasias. Lateral extension of the junctional component was a feature of compound lesions. An average of 10 years of clinical follow up in 12 patients revealed no recurrence or metastasis.
Conclusions:
Recognition of this type of nevus is important to avoid confusion with malignant melanoma.
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