Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Dermal Melanocytosis

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Melanocytic Lesions

  • 904 Accesses

Abstract

In this chapter, the dermal melanocytosis group of lesions will be discussed. All of these lesions contain dendritic melanocytes with very fine cytoplasmic pigment, oval to round nucleus, and tiny dot-like nucleolus. They include Mongolian spot, nevus of Ota, blue nevus, and neurocristic hamartoma. The various variants of blue nevus include common blue nevus, plaque-like blue nevus, sclerosing blue nevus, epithelioid blue nevus, cellular blue nevus, cellular blue nevus with cystic change, atypical cellular blue nevus, and amelanotic cellular blue nevus.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 119.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Achtelik W, Tronnier M, Wolff HH. Combined naevus flammeus and naevus fuscoceruleus: phacomatosis pigmentovascularis type IIa. Hautarzt. 1997;48(9):653–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Antonescu CR, Tschernyavsky SJ, Woodruff JM, Jungbluth AA, Brennan MF, Ladanyi M. Molecular diagnosis of clear cell sarcoma: detection of EWS-ATF1 and MITF-M transcripts and histopathological and ultrastructural analysis. J Mol Diagn. 2002;4(1):44–52.

    Article  CAS  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Avifor I, Kessler E. Atypical blue nevus – a benign variant of cellular blue nevus: presentation of three cases. Dermatologica. 1977;154:39–44.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bhawan J, Cao SL. Amelanotic blue nevus: a variant of blue nevus. Am J Dermatopathol. 1999;21(3):225–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Biernat W, Kordek R, Wozniak L. Cellular blue nevi with myxoid change – diagnostic difficulties and the review of the literature. Pol J Pathol. 1995;46(2):83–6.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bisceglia M, Carosi I, Fania M, Di Ciommo A, Lomuto M. Nevus of Ota. Presentation of a case associated with a cellular blue nevus with suspected malignant degeneration and review of the literature. Pathologica. 1997;89(2):168–74.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bogomoletz W. Blue naevus of oral mucosa. Br J Dermatol. 1968;80(9):611–3.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Busam KJ, Woodruff JM, Erlandson RA, Brady MS. Large plaque-type blue nevus with subcutaneous cellular nodules. Am J Surg Pathol. 2000;24(1):92–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Carney JA, Ferreiro JA. The epithelioid blue nevus. A multicentric familial tumor with important associations, including cardiac myxoma and psammomatous melanotic schwannoma. Am J Surg Pathol. 1996;20(3):259–72.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Carney JA, Stratakis CA. Epithelioid blue nevus and psammomatous melanocytic schwannoma: the unusual pigmented skin tumors of the Carney complex. Semin Diagn Pathol. 1998;15(3):216–24.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Carr S, See J, Wilkinson B, Kossard S. Hypopigmented common blue nevus. J Cutan Pathol. 1997;24(8):494–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Castelli E, Morello V, Tomasino RM. Perineural pattern of aggregation of cellular blue nevus: probable histoarchitectural reminiscence of histogenesis. Am J Dermatopathol. 2008;30(6):625–8. doi:10.1097/DAD.0b013e318174e75f.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cerroni L, Borroni RG, Massone C, Kerl H. ‘Ancient’ blue nevi (cellular blue nevi with degenerative stromal changes). Am J Dermatopathol. 2008;30(1):1–5. doi:10.1097/DAD.0b013e31815b7530.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chang SE, Kim KJ, Kim ES, Choi JH, Sung KJ, Moon KC, Koh JK. Two cases of late onset Ota’s naevus. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2001;27(3):202–4.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Connelly J, Smith Jr JL. Malignant blue nevus. Cancer. 1991;67(10):2653–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Denlinger CE, Slingluff Jr CL, Mihm Jr MC, Patterson JW. Extensive neurocristic hamartoma with skeletal muscle involvement. J Cutan Pathol. 2007;34(8):634–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dorsey CS, Montgomery H. Blue nevus and its distinction from Mongolian spot and the nevus of Ota. J Invest Dermatol. 1954;22:225–36.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ee HL, Wong HC, Goh CL, Ang P. Characteristics of Hori naevus: a prospective analysis. Br J Dermatol. 2006;154(1):50–3.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gonzalez-Campora R, Diaz-Cano S, Vazquez-Ramirez F, Ruiz HG, Moreno JC, Camacho F. Cellular blue nevus with massive regional lymph node metastases. Dermatol Surg. 1996;22(1):83–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Granter SR, McKee PH, Calonje E, Mihm Jr MC, Busam K. Melanoma associated with blue nevus and melanoma mimicking cellular blue nevus. A clinicopathologic study of 10 cases on the spectrum of so-called ‘malignant blue nevus’. Am J Surg Pathol. 2001;25(3):316–23.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hidano A, Kajima H, Ikeda S, Mizutani H, Miyasato H, Niimura M. Natural history of nevus of Ota. Arch Dermatol. 1967;95(2):187–95.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hori Y, Kawashima M, Oohara K, Kukita A. Acquired, bilateral nevus of Ota-like macules. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1984;10(6):961–4.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hsiao GH, Hsiao CW. Plaque-type blue nevus on the face: a variant of Ota’s nevus? J Am Acad Dermatol. 1994;30(5 Pt 2):849–51.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Inoue S, Kuwahara H, Kikuchi I. Electron microscopic studies on stroma melanocytosis. Kumamoto Med J. 1973;26(3):126–37.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kikuchi I, Inoue S. Natural history of the Mongolian spot. J Dermatol. 1980;7(6):449–50.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kjaerheim A, Martinez MG, Montes LF. Blue nevus of the oral cavity. An electron microscopic study. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol. 1970;29(5):718–28.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kopf AW, Weidman AI. Nevus of Ota. Arch Dermatol. 1962;85:195–208.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lach B, Russell N, Benoit B, Atack D. Cellular blue nevus (melanocytoma) of the spinal meninges: electron microscopic and immunohistochemical features. Neurosurgery. 1988;22(4):773–80.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lambert WC, Brodkin RH. Nodal and subcutaneous cellular blue nevi. A pseudometastasizing pseudomelanoma. Arch Dermatol. 1984;120(3):367–70.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Leung AK. Mongolian spots in Chinese children. Int J Dermatol. 1988;27(2):106–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Leung AK, Kao CP, Leung AA. Persistent Mongolian spots in Chinese adults. Int J Dermatol. 2005;44(1):43–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lovas GL, Wysocki GP, Daley TD. The oral blue nevus: histogenetic implications of its ultrastructural features. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol. 1983;55(2):145–50.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mevorah B, Frenk E, Delacretaz J. Dermal melanocytosis. Report of an unusual case. Dermatologica. 1977;154(2):107–14.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mezebish D, Smith K, William J, Menon P, Crittenden J, Skelton H. Neurocristic cutaneous hamartoma: a distinctive dermal melanocytosis with an unknown malignant potential. Mod Pathol. 1998;11(6):573–8.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Micali G, Innocenzi D, Nasca MR. Cellular blue nevus of the scalp infiltrating the underlying bone: case report and review. Pediatr Dermatol. 1997;14(3):199–203.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Michal M. Cellular blue naevi with microalveolar pattern – a type of naevus frequently confused with melanoma. Pathol Res Pract. 1998;194(2):83–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Michal M, Baumruk L, Skalova A. Myxoid change within cellular blue naevi: a diagnostic pitfall. Histopathology. 1992;20(6):527–30.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mishima Y. Macromolecular changes in pigmentary disorders. Arch Dermatol. 1965;91:519–57.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mishima Y. Cellular blue nevus. Melanogenic activity and malignant transformation. Arch Dermatol. 1970;101(1):104–10.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mishima Y, Mevorah B. Nevus Ota and nevus Ito in American Negroes. J Invest Dermatol. 1961;36:133–54.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Montgomery H. The blue nevus (Jaddasohn-Tieche): its distinction from ordinary moles and malignant melanoma. Am J Cancer. 1939;36:527–39.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moreno C, Requena L, Kutzner H, de la Cruz A, Jaquetti G, Yus ES. Epithelioid blue nevus: a rare variant of blue nevus not always associated with the Carney complex. J Cutan Pathol. 2000;27(5):218–23.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nakano S, Kinoshita K, Morita Y, Inoue S, Kawana N. Cellular blue nevus of the scalp associated with intracranial involvement. Surg Neurol. 1987;27(6):553–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • O’Grady TC, Barr RJ, Billman G, Cunningham BB. Epithelioid blue nevus occurring in children with no evidence of Carney complex. Am J Dermatopathol. 1999;21(5):483–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Park YM, Kang H, Cho BK. Plaque-type blue nevus combined with nevus spilus and smooth muscle hyperplasia. Int J Dermatol. 1999;38(10):775–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pearson JP, Weiss SW, Headington JT. Cutaneous malignant melanotic neurocristic tumors arising in neurocristic hamartomas. Am J Surg Pathol. 1996;20(6):665–77.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pittman JL, Fisher BK. Plaque-type blue nevus. Dermatology. 1976;112:1127–8.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pratt AG. Birthmarks in infants. Arch Dermatol. 1953;67:302–5.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Radentz WH, Vogel P. Congenital common blue nevus. Arch Dermatol. 1990;126(1):124–5.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rodriguez HA, Ackerman LV. Cellular blue nevus. Clinicopathologic study of forty-five cases. Cancer. 1968;21(3):393–405.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shenfield HT, Maize JC. Multiple blue agminated blue nevi. J Dermatol Surg Oncol. 1980;6:725–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Silverberg GD, Kadin ME, Dorfman RF, Hanbery JW, Prolo DJ. Invasion of the brain by a cellular blue nevus of the scalp. A case report with light and electron microscopic studies. Cancer. 1971;27(2):349–55.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sterchi JM, Muss HB, Weidner N. Cellular blue nevus simulating metastatic melanoma: report of an unusually large lesion associated with nevus-cell aggregates in regional lymph nodes. J Surg Oncol. 1987;36(1):71–5.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Suh DH, Hwang JH, Lee HS, Youn JI, Kim PM. Clinical features of Ota’s naevus in Koreans and its treatment with Q-switched alexandrite laser. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2000;25(4):269–73.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sun J, Morton Jr TH, Gown AM. Antibody HMB-45 identifies the cells of blue nevi. Am J Surg Pathol. 1990;14(8):748–51.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Temple-Camp CR, Saxe N, King H. Benign and malignant cellular blue nevus. A clinicopathological study of 30 cases. Am J Dermatopathol. 1988;10(4):289–96.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tran TA, Carlson JA, Basaca PC, Mihm MC. Cellular blue nevus with atypia (atypical cellular blue nevus): a clinicopathologic study of nine cases. J Cutan Pathol. 1998;25(5):252–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Vidal S, Sanz A, Hernandez B, Sanchez Yuz E, Requena L, Baran R. Subungual blue naevus. Br J Dermatol. 1997;137(6):1023–5.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wetherington GM, Norris AL, Sadove AM. Locally invasive cellular blue nevus of the scalp. Plast Reconstr Surg. 1998;25(5):252–8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wood WS, Tron VA. Analysis of HMB-45 immunoreactivity in common and cellular blue nevi. J Cutan Pathol. 1991;18(4):261–3.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zembowicz A, Granter SR, McKee PH, Mihm MC. Amelanotic cellular blue nevus. A hypopigmented variant of the cellular blue nevus: clinicopathologic analysis of 20 cases. Am J Surg Pathol. 2002;26(11):1493–500.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zembowicz A, Carney JA, Mihm MC. Pigmented epithelioid melanocytoma: a low-grade melanocytic tumor with metastatic potential indistinguishable from animal-type melanoma and epithelioid blue nevus. Am J Surg Pathol. 2004;28(1):31–40.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    Mai P. Hoang MD & Martin C. Mihm Jr. MD

  2. Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street Warren 820, Boston, MA, 02114, USA

    Mai P. Hoang MD

  3. Department of Dermatology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    Martin C. Mihm Jr. MD

  4. Melanoma Program, Dana Farber Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center, 41 Louis Pasteur Avenue, Room 317B, Boston, MA, 02115, USA

    Martin C. Mihm Jr. MD

Authors
  1. Mai P. Hoang MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Martin C. Mihm Jr. MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Mai P. Hoang MD or Martin C. Mihm Jr. MD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Pathology Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    Mai P. Hoang

  2. Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Deptartment of Pathology, Harvard Med School Melanoma Program in Dermatology, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    Martin C. Mihm Jr.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2014 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Hoang, M.P., Mihm, M.C. (2014). Dermal Melanocytosis. In: Hoang, M., Mihm Jr., M. (eds) Melanocytic Lesions. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-0891-2_3

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-0891-2_3

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-0890-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-0891-2

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation