Abstract
Multiphoton microscopy (MPM) is a promising non‐invasive imaging tool for discriminating benign nevi from melanoma. In this study, we establish a MPM morphologic catalogue of common nevi, information that will be critical in devising strategies to distinguish them from nevi that are evolving to melanoma that may present with more subtle signs of malignancy. Thirty common melanocytic nevi were imaged in vivo using MPM. Quantitative parameters that can distinguish between different types of nevi were developed and confirmed by examining the histology of eleven of the imaged nevi. MPM features of nevi examined included cytologic morphology of melanocytes in the epidermis and dermis, the size and distribution of nevomelanocytes both within and around nests, the size of rete ridges, and the presence of immune cells in the dermis. Distinguishing features include cytological morphology, the size of nevomelanocytes, the size of nevomelanocyte nests, and the distribution of nevomelanocytes. Notably, these distinguishing characteristics were not easily appreciated in fixed tissues, highlighting essential differences in the morphology of live skin. Taken together, this work provides a morphologic compendium of normal nevi, information that will be critical in future studies directed at identifying melanocytic nevi that are evolving to melanoma.
Highlights
IntroductionKnown as “moles”, are benign growths of melanocytes
Common melanocytic nevi, known as “moles”, are benign growths of melanocytes
We propose several quantitative parameters related to the size of nevomelanocytes, the size of the nests and the percentage of nevomelanocytes located outside the nests
Summary
Known as “moles”, are benign growths of melanocytes. Our group and others have demonstrated the potential of MPM for non-invasive imaging of pigmented lesions and detection of melanoma (Arginelli et al, 2013; Balu et al, 2014; Dimitrow et al, 2009; Seidenari et al, 2013). These studies include limited information about the MPM morphology and cytology of common nevi and no histology confirmation of the identified MPM features. Knowledge about the in-vivo morphology of benign melanocytic nevi, which may differ significantly from the processed tissue morphology, is necessary for the differentiation of benign melanocytic nevi from early malignant melanomas
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