Proliferative nodules (PNs) are benign nodular proliferation of melanocytes occurring within congenital melanocytic naevi (CMN). Differential diagnosis between PN and melanoma is challenging for clinicians and pathologists. We describe the case of a 9-month-old boy who developed multiple nodules arising in a medium-sized CMN. Clinically, pink papules were observed, with dotted vessels on dermoscopy, suggesting spitzoid PN. On histopathological examination, the dermoscopic findings correlated with the vertical vessels of a spitzoid PN. Dermoscopy could be a useful tool to differentiate PN from melanoma. However, further studies describing the dermoscopic features of the different PN subtypes are needed. Histopathology remains the gold standard for definitive diagnosis aided by ancillary molecular tests such as fluorescence in situ hybridization or comparative genomic hybridization.
Keywords: congenital melanocytic nevus; melanoma; proliferative nodules; spitz nevus.
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