Acessibilidade / Reportar erro

The recurrent nevus phenomenon* * Work performed at Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM) - Santa Maria (RS), Brazil.

Abstract:

Recurrent melanocytic nevus is a proliferation of melanocytes arising from a melanocytic nevus removed partially. Asymmetry and irregular pigmentation may lead to misdiagnosis of melanoma. We report a patient presented with a lesion on the lower abdomen, which was removed by shave excision. Anatomopathological examination revealed an intradermal melanocytic nevus. Two months later, a new irregular hyperpigmented lesion appeared in the surgical scar. Histopathology of the excisional biopsy revealed a recurrent melanocytic nevus. Recurrent melanocytic nevus manifests as a scar with hyper or hypopigmented areas, linear streaking, stippled pigmented halos, and/or diffuse pigmentation patterns. Histologically, the dermoepidermal junction and the superficial dermis show melanocytic proliferation overlying the scarred area. When a pathological report of the previous lesion is not available, complete excision is the gold standard. Otherwise, regular dermoscopic monitoring is a therapeutic option. The present report emphasizes the importance of histopathological examination of the excised material - even in cases of suspected benign lesions - and warns patients about the possibility of recurrence in case of incompletely removed lesions.

Keywords:
Ambulatory surgical procedures; Nevus; Histology

Sociedade Brasileira de Dermatologia Av. Rio Branco, 39 18. and., 20090-003 Rio de Janeiro RJ, Tel./Fax: +55 21 2253-6747 - Rio de Janeiro - RJ - Brazil
E-mail: revista@sbd.org.br