Long-term Follow-up of a Patient With Eruptive Melanocytic Nevi After Stevens-Johnson Syndrome

Gelfer A, Rivers JK.

BACKGROUND: Eruptive melanocytic nevi (MN) are a rare phenomenon characterized by the simultaneous, abrupt onset of hundreds of MN, often in a grouped distribution. There are few studies on this topic in the literature. We followed up a patient who developed eruptive MN38 years ago after Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Herein we document this patient’s progress and review the literature on this unusual phenomenon.

OBSERVATIONS: For 38 years, the patient’s lesions have remained stable, without signs of malignant degeneration. We discuss the possible etiology and natural history of this condition in 2 major patient populations: those with bullous disorders and those with systemic immunosuppression.

CONCLUSIONS: We postulate that the etiology and natural course of eruptiveMNmaydiffer between the2mainpopulations of patients at risk for eruptiveMN,withMNarising after bullous disorders being more likely to remain benign comparedwith those in patients withongoingimmunosuppression. However,this hypothesis has yet tobeproved,and it will requirelong-termsurveillance of individualswhohave developed eruptive MN to determine its merit.

Arch Dermatol. 2007;143(12):1555-1557.

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