[Childhood eruptive nevi: a case report]

[Anti-TNF alpha-induced eruptive nevi: Three cases]

BACKGROUND

Eruptive melanocytic nevi (EMN) are a rare phenomenon characterized by simultaneous rapid onset of multiple nevi. The condition has been described in different contexts: immunosuppression, immunosuppressive drugs, targeted therapies, bullous diseases, and chemical melanocytic stimulation. We report 3 cases of EMN following anti-TNF alpha treatment.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Case 1 - A 51-year-old female patient was receiving adalimumab for spondyloarthritis (the first treatment for this patient). A few months after the start of treatment, multiple nevi were noted on the 4 limbs, and in particular on the right palm. The patient confirmed the absence of these lesions before initiation of treatment. A diagnosis was made of adalimumab-induced EMN. Case 2 - A 49-year-old male patient was receiving etanercept for spondyloarthritis (the first biologic in this patient). Multiple small nevi developed on the trunk in the months after the start of treatment. The patient indicated that these lesions had appeared after the start of treatment. A diagnosis was made of etanercept-induced EMN. Case 3 - A 20-year-old woman with hidradenitis suppurativa was treated with infliximab. After 1.5 months, she reported the outbreak of various pigmented lesions 2-3mm in diameter on the trunk and one lesion on her right palm. The clinical diagnosis was EMN. After follow-up of 4 months to 5 years, no transformation to melanoma was noted in any of these 3 patients.

CONCLUSION

EMN remains a rare phenomenon in patients on anti-TNF alpha. These cases, associated with the description of a moderate increased risk of developing cutaneous carcinoma under anti-TNF alpha, underscore the need for dermatological follow-up and increased sun protection in patients receiving this treatment.

Common and not so Common Melanocytic Lesions in Children and Adolescents

The acquired melanocytic nevus is the most common lesion encountered by pediatric pathologists and dermatopathologists in their daily practice. In most cases, there are few difficulties in histopathologic diagnosis. However, it is the acquired melanocytic lesion known as the Spitz nevus, with its intrinsic atypical features which becomes the challenge since it exists along a histopathologic and biologic continuum from the atypical Spitz tumor to spitzoid melanoma. The frustration with some of these spitzoid lesions is that even the "experts" cannot agree as to the differentiation of one from the other even at the level of molecular genetics. Other melanocytic lesions are discussed including the congenital melanocytic nevus with its proliferative nodule(s) and melanoma as the ultimate complication. Although uncommon, cutaneous melanoma in the first 2 decades is emerging as a clinical problem especially in young women in the second decade of life. These are ultraviolet-associated neoplasms whose histopathologic and prognostic features are identical to the adult experience. Considerable progress has been made over the past 15 to 20 years in our understanding of cutaneous melanocytic lesions, but gaps still exist in the important group of spitzoid lesions. It can also be anticipated that more cutaneous melanomas in children will be seen in the future based upon epidemiologic studies.

Drug-induced eruptive melanocytic nevi

INTRODUCTION

The sudden eruption of melanocytic nevi has been associated with a number of conditions, such as bullous skin diseases, immunodeficiency and immunosuppression. The exact mechanisms leading to the development of eruptive melanocytic nevi are unknown. Areas covered: The aim of this article is to review the literature concerning eruptive melanocytic nevi following the administration of immunosuppressive drugs and other medications. Expert opinion: The literature regarding the development of eruptive nevi in association with pharmacological therapies includes a relatively low number of reports. Prevalence of this phenomenon is likely to be underestimated, thus reporting should be encouraged in order to better define the actual significance and related clinical implications. The development of multiple melanocytic nevi during immunosuppressive treatments highlights the importance of immune system integrity in the regulation of nevi growth. The observation of eruptive nevi as an unexpected effect of targeted therapies for specific types of cancer, including melanoma, provided intriguing hints to understand the mechanisms underlying this paradoxical event. The synergistic role of additional triggers in the occurrence of drug-induced eruptive nevi has not been explored and may be an interesting area of research.

Localized Eruptive Blue Nevi after Herpes Zoster

A 52-year-old White man presented with a dozen small, well-restricted, punctiform, asymptomatic, blue-gray macules on the left shoulder. A few months earlier, he had been treated with oral acyclovir for herpes zoster (HZ) affecting the left C7–C8 dermatomes. All the blue macules appeared over a short period of time and then remained stable. The patient had not experienced any previous trauma or had tattooing in this anatomical region. The clinical diagnosis suggested blue nevi. Dermatoscopy revealed small, well-limited, dark-blue, compact, homogeneous areas evoking dermal blue nevi. An excisional biopsy was performed and the histological examination confirmed a blue nevus. As far as we are aware of, this is the first report of eruptive blue nevi following HZ, and it should be included in the differential diagnosis of zosteriform dermatoses responding to an isotopic pathway. In addition, a brief review concerning eruptive nevi is presented.