Halo nevus

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Halo nevus
Other namesLeukoderma acquisitum centrifugum of sutton
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Specialty Dermatology

Halo nevus is a mole that is surrounded by a pale ring or 'halo'. [1] It is generally noticed in the summer, when surrounding skin tans, and usually occurs on the chest, but can be anywhere. [1] There may be one or, more typically, several. [2] Onset is usually in teenagers and young adults. [1] [3] It typically follows a pattern of appearing at first as a dark mole surrounded by a halo before the nevus fades and disappears. [1] A single halo-nevus-like lesion appearing in an older adult may be a melanoma. [1]

Contents

It occurs in around 1% of the general population, and males and females are affected equally. [1]

Presentation

Halo nevi are also known as Sutton's nevi, or leukoderma acquisitum centrifugum. [2] Halo nevi are named such because they are a mole (nevus) that is surrounded by an area of depigmentation that resembles a halo.

Halo nevi are associated with vitiligo. Sometimes the pale (hypopigmented) areas will spontaneously regress, and pigment returns.

Causes

The formation of a halo surrounding a nevi is believed to occur when certain white blood cells called CD8+ T lymphocytes destroy the pigment-producing cells of the skin (melanocytes). [4] The cause for the attack is unknown. [5]

Diagnosis

Treatment

Photograph of a halo nevus on a face Halo Nevus zoomed.jpg
Photograph of a halo nevus on a face

As halo nevi are only of cosmetic significance, no treatment is required, [6] and patients will be asymptomatic. Although halo nevi are harmless, it is important to monitor the lesion on a regular basis. [7] Watch out for any changes in appearance of existing or new halo nevi. If there is any change in appearance or is associated with pain, itch, and infection, a doctor should be consulted immediately to exclude the possibility of melanoma.

Epidemiology

Halo nevi are estimated to be present in approximately 1% of the general population and are found to be more prevalent in people with vitiligo, malignant melanoma, [5] or Turner syndrome. [8] All races and sexes are equally susceptible to this disease, although a familial tendency has been reported. The average age of onset is in a person's teenage years.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 DE, Elder; D, Massi; RA, Scolyer; R, Willemze (2018). "2. Melanocytic tumours: halo naevus". WHO Classification of Skin Tumours. Vol. 11 (4th ed.). Lyon (France): World Health Organization. pp. 91–92. ISBN   978-92-832-2440-2.
  2. 1 2 James, William D.; Elston, Dirk; Treat, James R.; Rosenbach, Misha A.; Neuhaus, Isaac (2020). "30. Melanocytic nevi and neoplasms: halo nevus". Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology (13th ed.). Edinburgh: Elsevier. pp. 690–691. ISBN   978-0-323-54753-6.
  3. ↑ Johnstone, Ronald B. (2017). "32. Lentigines, nevi and melanomas". Weedon's Skin Pathology Essentials (2nd ed.). Elsevier. p. 536. ISBN   978-0-7020-6830-0.
  4. ↑ Mundinger, Gerhard S. (January 16, 2014). "Halo Phenomenon". New England Journal of Medicine. 370 (3): 262. doi:10.1056/NEJMicm1306230. PMID   24428471.
  5. 1 2 "Halo Nevus - skinsite.com" . Retrieved August 4, 2008.
  6. ↑ "CareFair.com - Halo Nevis" . Retrieved August 4, 2008.
  7. ↑ "DermaTalk - Halo Nevus".
  8. ↑ Halo Nevis at eMedicine


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