title: Seasonal prevalence of digital epiluminescence microscopy patterns in acquired melanocytic nevi.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Available information of the effect of sun exposure on the biologic activity and morphologic characteristics of nevi is based on a few cross-sectional studies. According to these, nevi excised in summer show a higher mitotic count, a greater extent of the junctional component, and more frequent regression and inflammation.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Our goals were to obtain data on the seasonal prevalence of digital epiluminescence microscopy (D-ELM) patterns in acquired melanocytic nevi (AMN) and to test the reliability of D-ELM as a substitute for histology in prospective studies of the morphologic response of AMN to sun exposure.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two independent series of AMN located on intermittently sun-exposed body sites and undergoing D-ELM in winter (n=121) and in summer (n=116) were compared for the prevalence of major ELM patterns.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cases in the summer series showed a greater frequency of a broad and prominent pigment network; black dots with varied size, irregular distribution, and peripheral location; and peripheral depigmentation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  On the basis of known histologic correlates of D-ELM features, our findings were consistent with studies of seasonal histologic changes in AMN. D-ELM may be a useful tool in the prospective evaluation of effects of sun exposure on AMN morphology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and the Center for Cancer Prevention, Santa Maria delle Croci Hospital, Ravenna, Italy.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Stanganelli
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rafanelli
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bucchi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D008297:Male; D008853:Microscopy / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D009508:Nevus, Pigmented / Q000473:pathology*; D010859:Pigmentation Disorders / Q000473:pathology; D010860:Pigments, Biological / Q000528:radiation effects; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012621:Seasons; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D012880:Skin Pigmentation / Q000528:radiation effects; D013472:Sunlight / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D010860:Pigments, Biological