Genital melanocytic naevus on lichen sclerosus: an uncommon occurrence and a management proposal

Abstract BACKGROUND: Melanocytic naevi located in special sites, such as the vulvar mucosa might present peculiar clinical and dermatoscopic features. OBJECTIVES: We describe a management proposal of a genital naevus associated with inflammatory disorders that aims to facilitate the clinical and pathologic diagnosis. METHODS: Videodermoscopy of a genital naevus associated with lichen sclerosus of an 8-year-old girl, was carried out before and 2 months after treatment with topical steroids. An excisional biopsy and immunohistochemical studies with HMB-45, MART -1 and molecular studies with p 16 staining were performed. RESULTS: The features of the melanocytic lesion associated with lichen sclerosus were troublesome on the basis of clinical and videodermoscopic evaluation. Histopathologic and immunohistochemical examination performed after topical treatment, showed a compound melanocytic naevus with an underlying inflammation consistent with lichen sclerosus. CONCLUSIONS: The evaluation of genital naevi should take into account the presence of inflammatory disorders, not uncommon in such location. Treatment of the latter and short follow-up of the patients, can avoid over-diagnosis of malignancies and extensive surgical procedures.

Background Melanocytic naevi located in special sites, such as the vulvar mucosa might present peculiar clinical and dermatoscopic features. Objectives We describe a management proposal of a genital naevus associated with inflammatory disorders that aims to facilitate the clinical and pathologic diagnosis. Methods Videodermoscopy of a genital naevus associated with lichen sclerosus of an 8-year-old girl, was carried out before and 2 months after treatment with topical steroids. An excisional biopsy and immunohistochemical studies with HMB-45, MART -1 and molecular studies with p 16 staining were performed. Results The features of the melanocytic lesion associated with lichen sclerosus were troublesome on the basis of clinical and videodermoscopic evaluation. Histopathologic and immunohistochemical examination performed after topical treatment, showed a compound melanocytic naevus with an underlying inflammation consistent with lichen sclerosus. Conclusions The evaluation of genital naevi should take into account the presence of inflammatory disorders, not uncommon in such location. Treatment of the latter and short follow-up of the patients, can avoid over-diagnosis of malignancies and extensive surgical procedures.