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Home Topics A–Z Dermoscopy of achromic naevus
Author: Professor Balachandra Ankad, Department of Dermatology, S Nijalingappa Medical College, Bagalkot-587 103, Karnataka, India. Copy edited by Gus Mitchell. December 2020.
Achromic naevus, also called naevus depigmentosus or hypochromic naevus, is a pale (hypopigmented) birthmark due to an abnormal clone of melanocytes with an impaired ability to transfer melanosomes to keratinocytes.
Achromic naevus presents in the neonate or early childhood period as a flat pale hypopigmented macule with a characteristic serrated border.
Clinical images of achromic naevus in skin of colour
On dermoscopy, an achromic naevus appears as a white structureless area with an irregular serrated border and pseudopod-like extensions. There is a faint but normal reticular pigment background throughout. Hairs within the lesion are of normal colour with perifollicular pigmentation. Pigmentation in the surrounding skin is normal with no hyperpigmented border.
Dermoscopy images of achromic naevus in skin of colour
The histology of achromic naevus shows a normal or slightly reduced number of melanocytes with reduced melanosomes in the keratinocytes. The white structureless areas seen on dermoscopy of achromic naevus correspond with reduced melanin in the epidermal keratinocytes. The faint reticular pigment network indicates melanin remaining in the melanocytes.
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