BACKGROUND/AIMS The clinical definition of an atypical naevus ("dysplastic naevus" or "naevus with architectural disorder and cytological atypia of melanocytes") stresses size larger than 5 mm in diameter as a major diagnostic criterion. Because malignant melanomas and their precursors may arise in smaller lesions, a histological study of melanocytic lesions smaller than 4 mm in diameter was co...

While the early detection of malignant melanoma is important and has been emphasized widely in the past few years, it is difficult to accomplish. The purpose of this study is to assess how well dermatologists recognize malignant melanomas in patients with naevi. Information from 9,121 patients visiting two dermatological clinics in Stockholm and diagnosed melanocytic naevi was linked with the S...

The gross and microscopic features of an unusual case of neurocutaneous melanosis are described. This is an example of the rare association between a primary central nervous system malignant melanoma and a giant congenital melanocytic naevus of 'bathing trunk' distribution.