Understanding the prolonged natural history of these nevi may help patients avoid worry and unnecessary excision.
The halo nevus (HN) — a nevomelanocytic nevus surrounded by a rim of depigmentation (see figure) — occurs infrequently, usually in young patients. Appearance of the halo coincides with the regression of the nevus, and depigmentation is usually followed by complete repigmentation.
To characterize the natural history of these nevi, the authors of this retrospective chart review identified patients in a private dermatology practice who received a clinical diagnosis of HN in the years 1994 through 2010 and had a stored digital image of their original nevi; 36 patients with 56 HNs (mean age, 15.3 years; anatomic distribution, widely scattered) made a follow-up visit. One of the authors staged the nevi at follow-up and compared their appearance wi…
Reviewing Author
DisclosuresConsultant / advisory board Lubax; WorldCare Clinical
EquityLubax
Grant / Research support NIH; Department of Defense; American Skin Association; Piramal
Editorial boardsBritish Journal of Dermatology; Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology; Journal of Investigative Dermatology
Leadership positions in professional societies American Academy of Dermatology (Chair, Skin Cancer and Melanoma Committee); American Board of Dermatology (Director)
DisclosuresConsultant / advisory board Lubax; WorldCare Clinical
EquityLubax
Grant / Research support NIH; Department of Defense; American Skin Association; Piramal
Editorial boardsBritish Journal of Dermatology; Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology; Journal of Investigative Dermatology
Leadership positions in professional societies American Academy of Dermatology (Chair, Skin Cancer and Melanoma Committee); American Board of Dermatology (Director)
