A retrospective study of melanocytic naevi at the National Skin Centre.

INTRODUCTION A retrospective study of melanocytic naevi was undertaken to assess the degree of clinico-pathological correlation and incidence of histological atypia. MATERIALS AND METHODS The case records from January to March 1996 of all patients with histologically diagnosed melanocytic naevi at the National Skin Centre were analysed. RESULTS Of the 240 lesions removed from 167 patients, the majority being women (111/167 patients), it was found that 55% (132/240) were correctly diagnosed. Fourteen per cent were mistaken for non-melanocytic lesions, namely skin tag, neurofibroma, syringoma cylindroma, epidermal naevus, naevus sebaceous and basal cell carcinoma. Most of the lesions were located on the cheeks and eyelids. Junctional naevi, followed by compound naevi were often missed. Histological dysplasia were seen in 7 naevi; 6 compound and 1 congenital naevi. There was a lack of clinico-pathological concordance in dysplastic naevi. CONCLUSIONS The clinico-pathological concordance of melanocytic naevi was high, with low incidence of atypia on histology.