The important role of interdisciplinary collaboration in the management of a melanocytic skin lesion

Abstract

One of the most confounding characteristics, commonly seen in malignant, but even in benign melanocytic nevi, is represented by the regression phenomenon. The identification of regression, through dermoscopical observation, can be predictive of a tricky histopathological examination. Therefore, this feature should be an alert to a meticulous clinical, dermoscopical and histopathological correlation for correct analysis of melanocytic skin lesions. A 26-year-old man was referred to our department for a pigmented skin lesion localized on his trunk. It was clinically and dermoscopically diagnosed as atypical melanocytic nevus with central regression. After 1 year the lesion underwent considerable changes, leading to a nearly complete regression. The lesion was excised and, on the basis of clinical, dermoscopical and histopathological correlation, was interpreted as a junctional melanocytic nevus with regression. In our case the association of clinical, dermoscopical and histopathological experience, resulted an important and useful method, in order to proper interpret and correctly diagnose an atypical melanocytic skin lesion. © A. Balato et al., 2011.