title: New insights into oculodermal nevogenesis and proposal for a new iris nevus classification.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To gain more knowledge about presence and dermatological associations of iris nevi as well as possible pathways involved in the formation of iris nevi.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a prospective, interdisciplinary observational study. Presence, morphology, topography of iris and cutaneous nevi as well as factors indicating sun-exposure were noted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 632 participants including 360 (57%) women were examined. Of those, 26 subjects revealed 27 iris nevi. According to the current classification, all iris nevi were judged as solitary with the majority of them (n=20; 74%) located in the lower quadrants. In six (22.2%) cases we noted a peculiar 'incomplete sectoral pattern'; these nevi were located close to the pupil, were larger and had a more elongated, triangular shape compared with those located distant from the pupil, which appeared smaller and more roundish. Notably, five of these six peculiar (incomplete sectoral) iris nevi were located on the upper half of the iris.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on our findings we propose classifying iris nevi into sectoral, incomplete sectoral and solitary subtypes. Additionally, we set up a hypothetic concept of oculodermal nevogenesis suggesting a time-dependent embryogenic alteration affecting the normal melanocyte location, migration and maturation along peripheral nerve sheets. Our new concept explains well the morphology and extension of benign melanocytic proliferations in the ocular region as well as their relation to uveal melanoma.
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schwab
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Iris
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Zalaudek
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mayer
authors.affiliation: Institute for Medical Informatics, Statistics and Documentation, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Regina
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Riedl
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Werner
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wackernagel
authors.affiliation: Institute of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Herbert
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Juch
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Birgit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Aigner
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Alexandra Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Brunasso
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Gerald
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Langmann
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Erika
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Richtig
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015811:Iris Neoplasms / Q000145:classification* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009508:Nevus, Pigmented / Q000145:classification* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000145:classification* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D013472:Sunlight / Q000009:adverse effects; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Embryology and development; Epidemiology; Neoplasia