To worry or not - Clinical assessment of a pigmented skin lesion in a 4-year-old girl.

Abstract

Reed nevus or pigmented spindle cell nevus is a variant of Spitz nevus. Some Authors consider it as a single entity (1). Clinically, it is usually found on the extremities as an expansive, intensely and uniformly pigmented plaque or papule. The majority of cases arise before the age of 20 years, both sexes being equally affected. Generally, the lesions raise concerns because of their dark color.
Histopathological criteria of Reed nevus are well-determined. Reed nevus is a junctional or mixed nevus of highly pigmented spindle melanocytic cells. They form nests with vertical and parallel orientation in relation to interpapillary crests. Transepidermal elimination of melanin through the stratum corneum can be observed along with numerous melanophages in the superficial dermis. Kamino bodies can also be seen between the melanocytic cells (1, 2). (...).