Variability in nomenclature used for nevi with architectural disorder and cytologic atypia (microscopically dysplastic nevi) by dermatologists and dermatopathologists.
BACKGROUND
Although a nevus with the microscopic features of a "dysplastic nevus" is commonly seen, the nomenclature used to describe such a lesion has been thought to be inconsistent. A 1992 National Institutes of Health (NIH) Consensus Conference sought to unify nomenclature and suggested that the term "nevus with architectural disorder" be used along with a comment on melanocytic atypia.


METHODS
We performed a cross-sectional mail survey to determine preferred terminology as well as the level of adherence to the NIH-recommended nomenclature. All 856 active members of the American Society of Dermatopathology (ASDP) and 1100 (13.0%) of the 8471 active members of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) were surveyed.


RESULTS
Five hundred and thirty-three ASDP members and 483 AAD members who fulfilled eligibility criteria completed the questionnaire. The term "dysplastic nevus" was favored by the largest number of responders (favored by 39.1% of ASDP members and 62.3% of AAD members), while the 1992 NIH Consensus Conference-recommended terminology was the second most popular term (25.3% of ASDP and 15.1% of AAD members). Dermatopathologists (OR = 1.9, p = 0.0001) and those who had dual training in dermatology and dermatopathology (OR = 1.6, p = 0.02 for ASDP members; OR = 2.3, p = 0.02 for AAD members) were more likely to adhere to the 1992 NIH Consensus Conference nomenclature.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite attempts to unify nomenclature for microscopically dysplastic nevi through the NIH Consensus Conference, wide variation in terminology persists.
Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, 3600 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
Michael
M
Shapiro
Mary-Margaret
MM
Chren
Ross M
RM
Levy
David E
DE
Elder
Philip E
PE
LeBoit
Martin C
MC
Mihm
David J
DJ
Margolis
Phyllis A
PA
Gimotty
Michael E
ME
Ming
D003245:Consensus Statements as Topic; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003880:Dermatology / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D004416:Dysplastic Nevus Syndrome / Q000145:classification* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010338:Pathology, Clinical / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000145:classification* / Q000473:pathology; D012955:Societies, Medical; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D009626:Terminology as Topic; D014481:United States