definition
Spitz nevus is a benign melanocytic nevus with a characteristic histological appearance. It is otherwise known as benign juvenile melanoma or nevus of spindle/epitheliod cell type. Most lesions are under 1 cm in diameter and the majority are pink to red in colour and may be mistaken for a pyogenic granuloma. Histological examination shows an intense melanocytic activity around the dermo-epidermal junction. Large numbers of spindle-shaped melanocytes proliferate downward toward the dermis and usually a large amount of pigment is present.
synonyms
Spitz Nevus, Spindle Cell Nevus, Benign Juvenile Melanoma
UMLS
[M] Spindle cell naevus, [M] Spindle cell nevus, Nevi, Spindle Cell, Nevus, Spindle Cell, Spindle cell naevus, Spindle Cell Nevi, Spindle cell nevus