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Pediatr Dermatol 2019 Feb 14. Epub 2019 Feb 14.

Department of Dermatology, CHU Nantes, Nantes, France.

Early development of extensive acanthosis nigricans (AN) is a key feature in some patients who have hypochondroplasia (HCH) in association with FGFR3 mutations. We here report regarding five new patients with HCH who exhibited AN, and we compare their characteristics to the eight patients previously described in the literature. In these patients, the AN lesions began in childhood, and they were extensive. Read More

Lasers Med Sci 2019 Feb 14. Epub 2019 Feb 14.

Aesthetic Department, Dermatology Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510091, China.

Becker's nevus is a common pigmented dermatosis, usually featured by ipsilateral pigmented patch with hypertrichosis. Becker's nevus is often treated with various types of lasers although other regimens are available. However, clinical outcomes appear inconsistent among studies. Read More

Virchows Arch 2019 Feb 12. Epub 2019 Feb 12.

Departement de Biopathologie, Centre Léon Bérard, 28, rue Laennec, 69008, Lyon, France.

Recent advances in genomics have improved the molecular classification of cutaneous melanocytic tumors. Among them, deep penetrating nevi (DPN) and plexiform nevi have been linked to joint activation of the MAP kinase and dysregulation of the β-catenin pathways. Immunohistochemical studies have confirmed cytoplasmic and nuclear expression of β-catenin and its downstream effector cyclin D1 in these tumors. Read More

Zhongguo Xiu Fu Chong Jian Wai Ke Za Zhi 2019 Feb;33(2):207-211

Department of Plastic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang Jiangxi, 330006, P.R.China.

Objective: To explore the effectiveness of modified rhomboid flap for repairing facial skin and soft tissue defect.

Methods: Between January 2016 and May 2018, 23 patients with facial skin and soft defect were repaired by the modified rhomboid flap. There were 10 males and 13 females with the median age of 27 years (range, 11-72 years). Read More

J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2019 Feb 5. Epub 2019 Feb 5.

Centro Oncologico ad Alta Tecnologia Diagnostica, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale - IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Italy.

Adnexal tumors represent one of the most troublesome differential diagnosis when dealing with skin lesions with clinical and dermoscopic criteria suggestive for basal cell carcinoma (BCC). Among these, benign follicular tumors, and in particular trichoblastoma and trichoepithelioma, deserve a special mention as BCC mimickers. These are benign tumors showing differentiation toward the outer follicular sheath. Read More

J Cutan Pathol 2019 Feb 4. Epub 2019 Feb 4.

Department of Dermatology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea.

A 36-year-old man presented with a subcutaneous nodule on the right upper arm. A small nodule had developed 8 years earlier, and grew in size, accompanied by a tingling sensation and numbness. In addition, he had a bluish irregular patch on the right hand since birth, which crossed from the palm to the dorsal hand. Read More

Head Neck Pathol 2019 Jan 29. Epub 2019 Jan 29.

Section of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, University of Connecticut Health Center, 263 Farmington Ave, MC-0925, Farmington, CT, 06030, USA.

Black and brown-colored mucocutaneous lesions present a differential diagnostic challenge, with malignant melanoma being the primary clinical concern. The vast majority of pigmented lesions in the head and neck region are the result of benign, reactive factors such as post-inflammatory melanosis. However, it is not uncommon to discover a range of muco-cutaneous black and brown neoplasms in the oro-facial area. Read More

Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed 2019 Jan 28. Epub 2019 Jan 28.

The Department of Dermatology, Zealand University Hospital Roskilde, Denmark.

Background: The risk of photoaging and actinic keratosis caused by work related solar ultraviolet radiation exposure has not previously been investigated in Nordic countries. The objectives of this study was to describe the occurrence of photoaging, actinic keratosis and keratinocyte cancer in a population of Danish outdoor and indoor workers, and investigate the association between these clinical findings and semi-objective measures of work related solar ultraviolet radiation exposure in the same population.

Methods: A clinical cross-sectional study of the occurrence of facial wrinkles, actinic keratosis, keratinocyte cancer and melanocytic nevi in a population of Danish outdoor and indoor workers and associations with semi-objective measures of work related solar ultraviolet radiation exposure based on a combination of dosimetry and self-report. Read More

Biomark Res 2019 14;7. Epub 2019 Jan 14.

Department of Pathology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15224 USA.

Factors regulating transcription of pluripotency genes in congenital nevo-melanocytes are not known. Nevo-melanocytes belong somewhere in-between the ends of a spectrum where the normal epidermal melanocyte represents one end and a melanoma cell with multiple genetic abnormalities represents the other. Cells from large/giant congenital nevi (L/GCMN), unlike normal melanocytes, grow colonies on soft agar and express pluripotency markers, similar to melanoma cells. Read More

Eur J Dermatol 2019 Jan 21. Epub 2019 Jan 21.

Department of Dermatology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo.

Background: Nevus is a hamartoma or malformation of one or more skin components, resulting in aberrant differentiation of the cell lineage(s) mostly during developmental stages. Although multiple lineages may be involved in a nevus, the combination of melanocyte and keratinocyte abnormalities has been rarely discussed.

Objectives: To present two cases of congenital nevi with hypomelanosis and superficial fine scales. Read More

J Cutan Pathol 2019 Jan 21. Epub 2019 Jan 21.

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Background: Accurate classification of spitzoid melanocytic lesions is difficult due to overlapping clinical and histopathologic features between Spitz nevi, atypical Spitz tumors (ASTs), and spitzoid melanomas. Expression of p16 (CDKN2A) has been used as a marker of spitzoid lesions. However, its expression may be variable. Read More

J Clin Med 2019 Jan 17;8(1). Epub 2019 Jan 17.

Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon 164, Korea.

Congenital melanocytic nevi need surgical excisions. However, the effect of the size and location of the nevi on pain and emergence agitation have yet to be studied. The objective of this study was to evaluate (1) the ideal parameter of the nevus size and (2) the effects of the size and location of the nevus on pain and emergence agitation. Read More

Pediatr Dermatol 2019 Jan 18. Epub 2019 Jan 18.

Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois.

We described the development of multiple melanocytic nevi within long-standing MF patches in four young patients. Mycosis fungoides (MF) patches are characterized by a regulatory-like cytokine profile leading to local immune suppression. The proliferation of nevomelanocytes is regulated by cellular senescence mechanisms mediated by immune system. Read More

J Am Acad Dermatol 2019 Jan 14. Epub 2019 Jan 14.

Pigmented Lesion Clinic and Cutaneous Oncology Program, Department of Dermatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA. Electronic address:

Background: Amelanotic malignant melanoma (AMM) is challenging to diagnose. Clinical risk factors for AMM are not well defined.

Objective: To investigate clinicopathologic, misdiagnosis and survival differences between AMM versus (vs. Read More

Lasers Surg Med 2019 Jan 17. Epub 2019 Jan 17.

Laboratory for Investigative Dermatology, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York.

Objectives: Early melanoma detection decreases morbidity and mortality. Early detection classically involves dermoscopy to identify suspicious lesions for which biopsy is indicated. Biopsy and histological examination then diagnose benign nevi, atypical nevi, or cancerous growths. Read More

Pediatr Ann 2019 Jan;48(1):e23-e29

Birthmarks are common in the healthy population and are generally harmless. Certain presentations, however, raise concern for associated syndromes or potential complications. It is important for pediatricians to be familiar with both harmless and potentially concerning birthmarks. Read More

Zhongguo Xiu Fu Chong Jian Wai Ke Za Zhi 2019 Jan;33(1):66-69

Department of Burn Plastic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi Guizhou, 563003, P.R.China.

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of relay flap on repairing skin and soft tissue defect of auricle and donor site.

Methods: Between May 2014 and January 2016, 10 patients with auricular tumor were repaired by relay flap. There were 4 males and 6 females with an average age of 35 years (range, 21-69 years). Read More

J Cutan Pathol 2019 Jan 10. Epub 2019 Jan 10.

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California.

Background: Distinguishing benign nodal nevus from metastatic melanoma can be diagnostically challenging, with important clinical consequences. Recently, the loss of epigenetic marker, 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5-hmC) expression by immunohistochemistry has been found in melanomas and atypical melanocytic neoplasms.

Methods: About 41 metastatic melanomas and 20 nodal nevi were retrieved. Read More

Front Med (Lausanne) 2018 13;5:344. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Department of Pathology, GROW School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands.

Spitzoid neoplasms are a distinct group of melanocytic proliferations characterized by epithelioid and/ or spindle shaped melanocytes. Intermediate forms that share features of both benign Spitz nevi (SN) and Spitz melanoma, i.e. Read More

Br J Dermatol 2019 Jan 4. Epub 2019 Jan 4.

Department of Dermatology, St George's Hospital, London, United Kingdom.

Longitudinal melanonychia is a pigmented longitudinal band on the nail plate and may occur due to melanocyte activation, nail matrix nevus, lentigo or subungual melanoma. In a racially diverse community, melanonychia is a relatively common presenting complaint. However, despite this, little is known about the incidence of melanoma in longitudinal melanonychia, as well as variations in management approaches. Read More

Am J Dermatopathol 2018 Dec 19. Epub 2018 Dec 19.

Department of Dermatology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL.

Background: Tumoral melanosis (TM) is a histologic diagnosis characterized by abundant pigment-laden macrophages in the dermis. It is generally thought to represent a regressed melanoma, although it has also been reported after benign pigmented lesions as well. Determining the antecedent lesion in cases of TM is of clinical importance to accurately guide therapy and prognostication. Read More

Actas Dermosifiliogr 2018 Dec 24. Epub 2018 Dec 24.

Servicio de Dermatología, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, España.

Background And Objectives: Telomerase is an enzyme involved in maintaining the length of telomeres and cell senescence. Numerous studies have shown that in more than 90% of malignant tumors telomerase activity is detected.

Material And Methods: Retrospective observational study in a series of 85 cases of primary melanomas, 12 metastatic melanomas, and 22 melanocytic nevi. Read More

JAAD Case Rep 2019 Jan 5;5(1):50-53. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Department of Dermatology, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, California.

Hum Pathol 2018 Dec 18. Epub 2018 Dec 18.

Department of Pathology, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Dermatology, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. Electronic address:

Melanocytic lesions with borderline features are diagnostically challenging. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays, which detect genomic copy number alterations (CNAs), can be helpful in distinguishing between nevi and melanoma. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) has been used as a more rapid, less expensive alternative to SNP array, employing a panel of probes that are often gained or lost in melanoma. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2018 Dec;97(51):e13367

Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University College of Medicine.

Rationale: Pigmented lesions of conjunctiva and cornea can be observed in various conditions, from the benign nevus to malignant melanoma. Pigmented acquired melanosis (PAM) is one of them, which is a neoplastic proliferation with malignant transformation potential of melanocytes. However, to our knowledge, there has been no report as to a disturbance of corneal barrier function caused by PAM. Read More

Hum Pathol 2018 Dec 16. Epub 2018 Dec 16.

Department of Pathology, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44106.

A 23-gene expression signature was recently developed as an adjunct to histopathology to differentiate melanocytic nevi from melanoma. The current study correlated the gene expression signature scores to actual clinical outcomes in cases from the first validation study. RNA was extracted from 127 archival formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue sections of melanocytic lesions. Read More

Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 2019 Jan-Feb;85(1):89-93

Department of Dermatology, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China.

JAAD Case Rep 2019 Jan 4;5(1):21-23. Epub 2018 Dec 4.

Department of Dermatology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio.

J Cutan Pathol 2019 Mar 27;46(3):190-194. Epub 2018 Dec 27.

Department of Dermatology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Background: BRAF inhibition has improved overall survival in patients with BRAF mutant melanoma, but this is associated with a range of known and predictable cutaneous side effects, including squamous cell carcinomas associated with RAS mutations.

Methods: We identified three severely dysplastic nevi, one atypical intraepidermal melanocytic proliferation, and four melanoma in situ lesions, newly arising in four patients undergoing treatment with vemurafenib. To characterize mutations in these atypical melanocytic lesions, we used a custom iPlex panel detecting 74 mutations in 13 genes known to play a role in melanoma pathogenesis. Read More

Int J Dermatol 2018 Dec 13. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Dermatology and Plastic Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.

Background: A significant number of pigmented lesions are biopsied to rule out melanoma, but most will be benign. MelaFind is a highly sensitive, noninvasive computer-assisted system to aid in clinical diagnosis of melanoma.

Methods: A total of 140 high-risk patients were followed by one expert dermatologist. Read More

Arch Dermatol Res 2018 Dec 13. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Dermatology Department, Inselspital Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Freiburgstrasse, 3010, Bern, Switzerland.

The histopathological differentiation of melanocytic nevi from malignant melanoma (MM) is based on well-known criteria, and is straightforward in the vast majority of cases. However, there are few cases of melanocytic lesions (ML), the diagnosis of which is very challenging or even impossible. Here we have studied several morphological characteristics with particular focus on elastic fibers (EF) to identify features, helpful for the distinction between nevi and MM. Read More

Br J Dermatol 2018 Dec 7. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Instituto de Investigación Hospital 12 de Octubre, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.

Background: Reprogramming of energy metabolism to enhanced aerobic glycolysis has been defined as a hallmark of cancer.

Objective: To investigate the role of the mitochondrial proteins, β-subunit of the H -ATP synthase (β-F1-ATPase), and heat-shock protein 60 (HSP60), and the glycolytic markers, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2), as well as the bioenergetic cellular (BEC) index, in melanoma progression.

Material And Methods: The expression of energy metabolism proteins were assessed on a set of different melanoma cells representing the natural biological history of the disease: primary cultures of melanocytes, radial (WM35) and vertical (WM278) growth phases, and poorly (C81-61-PA) and highly (C8161-HA) aggressive melanoma cells. Read More

Int J Dermatol 2018 Dec 10. Epub 2018 Dec 10.

Department of Dermatology, Clinical University Hospital of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.

J Invest Dermatol 2018 Dec 6. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC; Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center (LCCC), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC.

Early diagnosis improves melanoma survival, yet the histopathological diagnosis of cutaneous primary melanoma can be challenging even for expert dermatopathologists. Analysis of epigenetic alterations, such as DNA methylation, that occur in melanoma can aid in its early diagnosis. Using a genome-wide methylation screen, we assessed CpG methylation in a diverse set of 89 primary invasive melanomas, 73 nevi, and 41 melanocytic proliferations of uncertain malignant potential, classified based on interobserver review by dermatopathologists. Read More

J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2018 Dec 6. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Dermatology Clinic - Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.

Background: The clinical and dermoscopic changes of melanocytic nevi under the effects of photo-epilation are poorly known.

Objective: Prospective study on clinical and dermatoscopic effects of photoe-pilation on melanocytic nevi.

Methods: Eighteen patients exposed to photo-epilation gave consent to a follow-up programme from 2008 to 2017 at the Videodermatoscopic Office of the Dermatology Clinic of Cagliari (Italy), with clinical and dermoscopic assessment. Read More

Clin Pediatr (Phila) 2018 Dec 3:9922818816421. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

1 University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA.

Background: Prior reports on large congenital melanocytic nevi (LCMN) do not provide a clear management approach to physicians to advise parents or patients. Whether the presence of a halo around the nevus can guide management has not been fully explored.

Design: Children born with an LCMN were observed without active intervention. Read More

Nan Fang Yi Ke Da Xue Xue Bao 2018 Nov;38(11):1360-1365

Department of Dermatology, Guangzhou Institute of Dermatology, Guangzhou 510095, China.

Objective: To investigate the expression profile of miR-122-5p in melanoma tissues and the effect of miR-122-5p on the proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis of human melanoma cell lines SK-MEL-110 and A375.

Methods: The expression profiles of miR-122-5p in melanoma and pigmented nevus tissues were detected using real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR). SK-MEL-110 and A375 cells transfected with miR-122-5p inhibitor or negative control inhibitor (NC) I were examined for miR-122- 5p expression using qRT-PCR and changes in cell proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis using MTT assay or flow cytometry. Read More

J Cell Biochem 2018 Nov 28. Epub 2018 Nov 28.

Department of Laboratory Medicine, Tongji hospital of Tongji University, Shanghai, China.

Objective: To investigate the effect of microRNA-137 (miR-137) on the migration and invasion of melanoma cells and its mechanism.

Methods: Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of miR-137 in melanoma tissues and cells. miR-137 mimics, phosphoinositide-3-kinase regulatory subunit 3 (PIK3R3) small interfering RNA and corresponding controls were transfected into A375 and WM451 cells by lipofection. Read More

An Bras Dermatol 2018 Nov/Dec;93(6):899-901

Department of Pathology, Santa Casa de São Paulo, São Paulo (SP), Brazil.

Dermoscopic examination allows visualization of horizontal images on the skin, showing well-defined patterns. The authors propose ex vivo dermoscopic visualization using a vertical view of skin sections. The new image clearly distinguishes the stratum corneum, epidermis, and dermis as well as the anatomical location of the pigment. Read More

Braz J Med Biol Res 2018 Nov 23;52(1):e7952. Epub 2018 Nov 23.

Department of Dermatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.

Malignant melanoma is an aggressive skin cancer with a high mortality rate. Nucleolar protein 14 (NOP14) has been implicated in cancer development. However, the role of NOP14 in malignant melanoma progression remains largely unclear. Read More

Actas Dermosifiliogr 2018 Oct 25. Epub 2018 Oct 25.

Centro Integral de Dermatología, Tucumán, Argentina.

Dermatol Pract Concept 2018 Oct 31;8(4):324-327. Epub 2018 Oct 31.

Dermatology Division, Department of Medical, Surgical and NeuroSciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.

Background: Differential diagnosis of clinically atypical nevi (aN) and early melanomas (eMM) still represents a challenge even for experienced dermoscopists, as dermoscopy alone is not sufficient to adequately differentiate these equivocal melanocytic skin lesions (MSLs).

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to investigate what were the most relevant parameters for noninvasive differential diagnosis between eMM and aN among clinical, personal, and dermoscopic data and to evaluate their impact as risk factors for malignancy.

Methods: This was a retrospective study performed on 450 MSLs excised from 2014 to 2016 with a suspicion of malignancy. Read More

J Ophthalmic Vis Res 2018 Oct-Dec;13(4):501-503

Liverpool Ocular Oncology Centre, St. Paul's Eye Unit, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool, England, UK.

Purpose: To report a case exhibiting drastic regression of a conjunctival nevus in a child.

Case Report: Spontaneous regression of conjunctival nevus is uncommon. We report the case of a nine-year-old Caucasian boy presenting a conjunctival-pigmented lesion situated at the plica semilunaris that underwent a significant reduction in size and color over a period of 15 months. Read More

Am J Surg Pathol 2018 Nov 20. Epub 2018 Nov 20.

Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University.

Pigmented epithelioid melanocytoma (PEM) is considered an intermediate grade melanocytic lesion that is histologically indistinguishable from epithelioid blue nevi associated with Carney complex. PEM are characterized by an intradermal population of heavily pigmented epithelioid-shaped melanocytes along with some spindled and dendritic melanocytes with frequent melanophages. These melanocytic tumors occasionally involve regional lymph nodes but only rarely result in distant metastases. Read More

Biosci Rep 2018 Dec 18;38(6). Epub 2018 Dec 18.

Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province 410008, P.R. China

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) play substantial roles in tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis. Nuclear factor of activated T cell (NFAT1) has been shown to promote melanoma growth and metastasis We herein aim to investigate whether NFAT1 is capable to promote melanoma growth and metastasis by influencing TAM properties. Melanoma-conditioned TAMs were obtained from human monocytes after incubation with conditioned medium from A375 cell culture. Read More

JAAD Case Rep 2018 Nov 12;4(10):1052-1054. Epub 2018 Nov 12.

Service de Dermatologie, CHU Amiens Picardie, Amiens, France.

Eplasty 2018 5;18:e30. Epub 2018 Oct 5.

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Section, Department of Surgery, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Facial giant congenital melanocytic nevus represents a major cosmetic deformity for the child and parents and is a challenge for the plastic surgeons to achieve best cosmetic results. Herein, we present a case of single-stage surgical reconstruction using partial-thickness scalp skin graft aided with Matriderm dermal substitute for a facial giant congenital melanocytic nevus. An 8-year-old boy presented with a facial giant congenital melanocytic nevus without leptomeningeal involvement. Read More

Cureus 2018 Sep 10;10(9):e3275. Epub 2018 Sep 10.

Radiotherapy, Christian Medical College, Vellore, IND.

Neurocutaneous melanoma is a rare congenital syndrome associated with congenital melanocytic nevi with meningeal melanosis or melanoma. The disease is aggressive and has a high propensity for leptomeningeal metastases. We present the case history of a man with neurocutaneous melanoma managed with radical excision followed by hypofractionated adjuvant radiotherapy. Read More

J Indian Assoc Pediatr Surg 2018 Oct-Dec;23(4):219-221

Department of Pediatric Surgery, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.

Congenital nevi and fibrolipomatous hamartoma are benign tumors of childhood, the latter being very uncommon. Fibrous hamartoma of infancy typically occurs in <2 years of life. The concurrence of these two lesions is extremely rare. Read More