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Mass Spectrometry Imaging Can Distinguish on a Proteomic Level Between Proliferative Nodules Within a Benign
Rossitza Lazova1, Zhe Yang, Constantin El Habr
1*Department of Dermatology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT; †Smilow Cancer Center, New Haven, CT; ‡Department of Plastic Surgery, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and the Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing, China; §Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University of Balamand, Beirut, Lebanon; ¶Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT; ‖Protea Biosciences, Inc, Morgantown, WV; and **Mass Spectrometry Research Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN.
Abstract:
Histopathological interpretation of proliferative nodules occurring in association with congenital melanocytic nevi can be very challenging due to their similarities with congenital malignant melanoma and malignant melanoma arising in association with congenital nevi. We hereby report a diagnostically challenging case of congenital melanocytic nevus with proliferative nodules and ulcerations, which was originally misdiagnosed as congenital malignant melanoma. Subsequent histopathological examination in consultation by one of the authors (R.L.) and mass spectrometry imaging analysis rendered a diagnosis of congenital melanocytic nevus with proliferative nodules. In this case, mass spectrometry imaging, a novel method capable of distinguishing benign from malignant melanocytic lesions on a proteomic level, was instrumental in making the diagnosis of a benign nevus. We emphasize the importance of this method as an ancillary tool in the diagnosis of difficult melanocytic lesions.
