title: Asymptomatic neurocutaneous melanocytosis in patients with large congenital melanocytic nevi: a study of cases from an Internet-based registry.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recent retrospective studies using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to screen for neurocutaneous melanocytosis (NCM) among neurologically asymptomatic children with large congenital melanocytic nevi (LCMN) report high prevalence (23-30%) of asymptomatic NCM. We sought to determine prevalence of asymptomatic NCM, and current application of MRI as a screening tool.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with LCMN from an Internet-based registry answered a questionnaire regarding NCM status.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 379 patients with LCMN, 26 reportedly had NCM, with 17 reporting neurologic symptoms. Of 186 patients undergoing MRI, 9 reported abnormal findings without neurologic symptoms (4.8%); 80% had LCMN on the posterior axis, whereas 55% had more than 20 satellite nevi.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Study data rely on the registry members' self-reported findings and are limited by lack of independent data verification.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Asymptomatic NCM (determined by MRI) may not be common, with much lower prevalence (4.8%) than previously reported. MRI is widely used for screening patients at risk for NCM, such as patients with LCMN involving the posterior axis and greater than 20 satellite nevi.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10022, USA.
authors.forename: Anna Liza C
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Agero
authors.forename: Cristiane
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Benvenuto-Andrade
authors.forename: Stephen W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Dusza
authors.forename: Allan C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Halpern
authors.forename: Ashfaq A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Marghoob
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008548:Melanosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D008875:Middle Aged; D020752:Neurocutaneous Syndromes / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D009508:Nevus, Pigmented / Q000150:complications*; D012042:Registries; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*