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Nevi

Last reviewed: 31 Jul 2024
Last updated: 15 Aug 2023

Summary

Definition

History and exam

Key diagnostic factors

  • presence since birth
  • asymmetric, indistinct or irregularly bordered, variably colored papules with diameter >5 mm
  • history of change in shape and color
  • asymptomatic (usually)
  • multiple lesions
  • flat, brown macule
  • dome-shaped papule
  • light brown background with speckled darker brown spots within
  • blue-gray dome-shaped papule
  • central pink-to-brown papule with a surrounding depigmented white ring
  • pinkish-brown papule
Full details

Risk factors

  • genetic predisposition
  • fair skin
  • age: older children and young adults
  • ultraviolet exposure
Full details

Diagnostic tests

1st tests to order

  • dermatoscopy
Full details

Tests to consider

  • non-invasive imaging technologies
  • total body photography
  • biopsy
Full details

Emerging tests

  • whole genome sequencing
  • pigmented lesion assay (PLA)

Treatment algorithm

ACUTE

clinically benign

clinically suspicious for melanoma

Contributors

Authors

Jason B. Lee, MD
Jason B. Lee

Professor of Dermatology & Cutaneous Biology

Clinical Vice-Chair

Director of Dermatopathology Fellowship

Director of Pigmented Lesion Clinic

Thomas Jefferson University

Philadelphia

PA

Disclosures

JBL declares that he has no competing interests.

Acknowledgements

Dr Jason B. Lee would like to gratefully acknowledge Dr Laurel R. Schwartz, a previous contributor to this topic.

Disclosures

LRS declares that she has no competing interests.

Peer reviewers

Craig G. Burkhart, MD

Clinical Professor

Department of Medicine

Medical College of Ohio

Toledo

OH

Disclosures

CGB declares that he has no competing interests.

Mark Hurt, MD

Dermatologist

Cutaneous Pathology

WCP Laboratories

Missouri

MO

Disclosures

MH declares that he has no competing interests.

Veronique Bataille, MBBS

Consultant Dermatologist

West Herts NHS Trust and King's College London

London

UK

Disclosures

VB declares that she has no competing interests.

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