Eruptive melanocytic nevi in patients with renal allografts: Report of 10 cases with dermoscopic findings

Abstract

Eruptive nevi have been reported after renal allograft transplantation, particularly in children and adolescents, and immunosuppression has been suggested to favor both benign and malignant melanocyte proliferation. In this study, we describe the dermoscopic features of eruptive melanocytic nevi in 10 children, adolescents, and young adults with renal allografts in whom multiple melanocytic nevi developed during a short period after transplantation. Dermoscopy of the eruptive pigmented lesions revealed a peripheral rim of brown globules. This rim of peripheral globules was present in 80% of the patients with eruptive nevi and in most of the lesions of the same patient. The other standard dermoscopic criteria for melanocytic nevi were normal. In our study, we confirm previous reports concerning the development of eruptive nevi in children and adolescents receiving immunosuppressive therapies. In particular, we showed by dermoscopy the presence of a characteristic symmetrical rim of peripheral brown globules. This finding is consistent with the hypothesis that a symmetrical peripheral rim of globules may indicate rapid enlargement of melanocytic lesions. Moreover, we have identified a new group of patients characterized by this dermoscopic feature. These patients are children, adolescents, and young adults with renal allografts receiving immunosuppressive therapy and it is plausible that this dermoscopic characteristic may be found in eruptive nevi developed in association with immunosuppression from any cause.