Clinical evolution of Spitz nevi

Abstract

Nevus Spitz is a benign melanocytic proliferation, first described in 1948 by Sophie Spitz as a childhood melanoma. Initially, it was described as an erythematous papule or node, but further studies of the Spitz nevus proved that in 71-92% cases it is a pigmented formation. This pigmentation is often quite intense due to the rapid growth of the formation, which leads to the need for differential diagnosis with skin melanoma. After all, dermatoscopy can be used for this purpose and, when applying this research method, typically a pattern of an exploding star formed by streaks of linear pigmentation and symmetrically located pigment globules placed in the peripheral zone can be revealed. In case of non-pigmented Spitz nevus, spot vessels and reticular depigmentation are visualized. Both pigmented and non-pigmented forms of Spitz nevus in the process of evolution can regress partially or completely. Several clinical cases of different types of spitzoids, both typical and atypical, based on the non-clinical, dermatoscopic and histological diversity of the Spitz nevi, have been demonstrated in the article. Their macroscopic and dermatoscopic features as well as probable signs of dynamic changes are indicated in order to facilitate their recognition by other specialists.