In vivo reflectance confocal microscopy of halo nevus.

BACKGROUND

RCM (reflectance confocal microscopy) is a noninvasive, high-resolution technology that has been proven to improve the diagnostic accuracy over clinical examination in several skin diseases.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this article is to describe the morphologic features of halo nevi (HN) observed with RCM and correlate them with their dermoscopic characteristics.

METHOD

Nine patients with the clinical diagnosis of HN were assessed with RCM. A second assessment was performed up to 12 months later. Dermoscopic global patterns were obtained and correlated with the RCM findings.

RESULTS

In five (55.6%) cases, pagetoid cells were observed. Nonedged dermal papilla and junctional thickening were found in three (33%) cases. Nucleated cells in the dermal papillae and plump bright cells were observed in seven (77.8%) and six (66.7%) cases, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Our study shows that HN observed by RCM can show atypical features that overlap with those observed on atypical melanocytic lesions and malignant melanoma.