Granulomatous inflammation in nevi undergoing regression (halo phenomenon): a report of 6 cases.
Halo phenomenon is a process whereby a melanocytic nevus undergoes regression with or without a clinically evident halo. It is now well established that cell-mediated immunity and to a lesser extent humoral immunity are integral to the development of halo nevi. We report 6 cases of nevi exhibiting halo phenomenon with granulomatous inflammation received in our dermatopathology practice over a 7-month period. Of these 6 cases, clinical evidence of a halo was documented in 2 of the nevi. In none of the cases was there a mention of granulomatous inflammation by the referring pathologist. Despite an extensive review of the literature, we did not find a report of overtly granulomatous inflammation occurring in regressing nevi, although we encounter the phenomenon not uncommonly in our practice and believe that practicing dermatopathologists should be aware of it.
Denianke
Kwame Sekou
KS
Ackerman Academy of Dermatopathology, New York, NY, USA. kdeniank@hotmail.com
Gottlieb
Geoffrey J
GJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic / Q000032:analysis; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006099:Granuloma / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009365:Neoplasm Regression, Spontaneous; D009508:Nevus, Pigmented / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D000097382:CD68 Molecule
D015703:Antigens, CD; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic; D009418:S100 Proteins; C067980:CD68 antigen, human; D000097382:CD68 Molecule