Compound Nevus

Diagnosis: Compound Nevus

Raised dark pigmented papule with dark hairs.

Clinical Presentation

Raised dark pigmented papule with dark hairs.

Clinical History

Submitted by Alaa Saad. Originally posted October 17, 2010.

Treatment

See case discussion.

Differential Diagnosis

• Melanoma • Dysplastic (atypical) nevus • Dermatofibroma • Seborrheic keratosis • Blue nevus • Spitz nevus

Key Learnings

• Benign melanocytic nevus with nevus cells at the dermal-epidermal junction AND in the dermis • Slightly raised, pigmented papule — intermediate between flat junctional and dome-shaped intradermal • Part of the normal nevus maturation: junctional → compound → intradermal • Even pigmentation and symmetry distinguish from dysplastic/malignant lesions • Monitor with ABCDE criteria for any changes

Tags: compound, nevus, alaa saad