Abstract
Giant congenital melanocytic nevi are benign nevomelanocytic proliferations of 20 cm or more in diameter, present at birth. They are primarily found on the posterior trunk, but they may arise on any other part of the body, covering more than 2% of the body surface. Giant congenital nevi are major risk factors for the development of melanoma, and the risk has been estimated to be as high as 5-7%. Persons with giant congenital melanocytic nevi on the head, neck and along the midline of the back are at increased risk for leptomeningeal melanocytic lesions. Most patients with neurocutaneous melanosis present with neurologic manifestations of the disease in the first 2 years of life. Melanoma occurs in 62-80% of cases, but even without neoplasms, symptomatic neurocutaneous melanosis has a poor prognosis. This is a report of a 23-year-old female patient who presented with multiple congenital pigmented and pilous nevi covering over 2% of her total body surface, without malignant alterations or association with other abnormalities. At birth, a nevus covered her neck, shoulders and the upper left arm, whereas several nevi over 5cm in diameter were present in the gluteal region, on the abdomen and legs. During the first 2 years of life, the existing nevi increased in size and progressed into darker brown. New, smaller pigmented changes appeared on the whole body and the face, while at the age of 17 they reached their current size and layout. At puberty, nevi over 10cm in size grew dark hairs. There were neither melanoma nor skin tumor cases in the family. Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging was not performed in the childhood or later in life, but other parameters - neurologic and ophthalmologic findings were in normal range all the time, as was growth and development. A complete photo-documentation was made, including macroscopic and dermoscopic images and regular follow-ups continue. Giant congenital melanocytic nevi may cause considerable esthetic and psychosocial problems. Due to their high malignant potential, association with other abnormalities, no consensus on the treatment, and monitoring problems, giant congenital melanocytic nevi represent a therapeutic problem as well.
Echinopla Cherapunjiensis sp. n. (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) from India
