ABSTRACT

Spitz nevus is a benign, mostly acquired melanocytic nevus, which is commonly seen in childhood. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical, dermatoscopic, and histopathological features of Spitz nevus.

Clinical data, histopathological slides, and dermatoscopic images of the patients that were histopathologically or clinically diagnosed with Spitz nevus between 2000-2005 were retrospectively analyzed. For statistical analysis, descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used.

Among the 30 patients included in the study, 56.7% were female. Median patient age was 15.5 years (range: 3-49 years) and 40% were younger than 12 years of age. The most frequent clinical diagnoses before biopsy were Spitz nevus (33%) and melanocytic nevus (30%). Median disease duration was 12 months (range: 1month-20 years) and mean diameter of the lesions was 5 mm. Lesions were most commonly localized on the lower extremities (44.8%) in both children and adults, and lower extremity localization was more common in females (P=0.007). The most common histopathological types noted were Spitz nevus 53.5% (n=15) and Reed nevus 32% (n=9). Dermatoscopy was performed in 16 patients; 31.3% had reticular pattern, 18.8% had starburst pattern, and 18.8% had atypical pattern.

Spitz nevi were seen in both children and adults. Pigmented Spitz nevus, which resembles melanocytic nevus, was the most common type and lower extremity localization was more common in females.