In vivo reflectance confocal microscopy of halo nevi

Halo nevi named also Sutton's nevi are uncommon melanocytic lesions occurring especially among adolescents. There are two effective diagnostic methods: dermoscopy and in vivo reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM), which can help us to observe many structural elements and characteristic features of Sutton's nevi.

The aim of this study was to describe reflectance confocal microscopy features of halo nevi.

Eleven patients with fourteen halo nevi were examined by FotoFinder Medicam 800 dermoscope and reflectance confocal microscope Viva Scope 1500 between May of 2018 and September of 2019.

Dermoscopic examination revealed 78.6% nevi with a globular pattern, while 21.4% showed a homogenous pattern. In RCM, a typical honeycombed pattern was observed in 57.1% of nevi. 42.9% of nevi showed a disarray of the epidermis and presence of dendritic cells. 35.7% of all lesions presented roundish atypical cells in the epidermis. Roundish pagetoid cells in the dermo-epidermal junction were detected in 14.2% of nevi. Non-edged papillae were observed in 50% of lesions. In each nevus, there were dilated vessels. 50% of nevi revealed dense nests in the periphery, although in case of one lesion the dishomogeneous nests were observed.

Halo nevi are important "melanoma simulators" in confocal microscopy.