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Published on: June 7, 2019
Large congenital melanocytic nevi and neurocutaneous melanocytosis: one pediatric center's experience
Audrey Lovett1, Catherine Maari, Jean-Claude Decarie
1Dermatology Service, Department of Pediatrics, Sainte-Justine Hospital Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Background:
Large congenital melanocytic nevi (LCMN) predispose to neurocutaneous melanocytosis (NCM), which is associated with significant morbidity and mortality.
Objective:
To identify risk factors for NCM in patients with LCMN and suggest guidelines for their management.
Methods:
Medical records of patients with LCMN were reviewed at Sainte-Justine Hospital between 1980 and 2006. Presence of multiple satellite nevi and posterior midline location were evaluated as risk factors for NCM using chi-square test. Magnetic resonance imaging scans were reviewed by a neuroradiologist.
Results:
Twenty-six of 52 patients underwent radiologic investigation. Six of 26 (23%) had NCM. Patients with this condition are more likely to have multiple satellite nevi (100% vs 50%, P = .03) and have a trend to posterior midline location of their LCMN (100% vs 60%, P = .08). Patients with NCM are more likely to have both multiple satellite nevi and posterior midline location (100% vs 25%, P = .002). Radiologic findings are also presented.
Limitations:
This was a retrospective case series with imprecise chart data in 38% of cases.
Conclusion:
The presence of multiple satellite nevi alone or with associated posterior midline location of LCMN is associated with a higher risk of NCM. We recommend magnetic resonance imaging testing before 4 months of age in patients with these features.
