Melanocytic nevus diagnostic study of choice

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: ; Roukoz A. Karam, M.D.[2]

Diagnostic Study of Choice

Study of choice

Biopsy is the gold standard test for the diagnosis of melanocytic nevus.

Indications for biopsy of melanocytic nevus include:

• Nevi on the palms or soles with mottled pigmentation or that are > 5 mm in diameter
• Nevi originating in the nail matrix that present as single bands of dark color or are ≥ 4 mm wide
• Nevi with irregular outline and/or color variation, areas of gray-blue or white regression, areas of pink or red color, or a history of rapid change or symptom
• An atypical nevus that has different clinical characteristics as compared to the remainder of the nevi in a given patient
• A halo nevus in which the central nevus has atypical or worrisome features
• A cellular blue nevus that has developed a superimposed change
• A Spitz nevus with atypical clinical features such as diameter >1 cm, asymmetry, or ulceration

Diagnostic results

The following findings on performing a skin biopsy are confirmatory for melanocytic nevus: