Problematic lesions in children.

Melanoma in childhood is rare, and appears more commonly either in association with a preexisting (congenital) nevus, or with spitzoid features than de novo. Thus, problematic melanocytic lesions in children are essentially represented by congenital nevi and Spitz nevi that can be regarded as melanoma precursors and melanoma simulators, respectively. As a consequence, clinical and dermoscopic features of melanoma in children differ from those in an adult population. Herein we describe common clinical and dermoscopic features of problematic lesions in children, focusing on congenital and Spitz/Reed nevi, and including other problematic lesions, such as atypical, blue, acral, and scalp nevi.

Generalized granuloma annulare associated with scabies.

Granuloma annulare (GA) is a common dermatosis of unknown etiology, which, in 10%-15% of cases, presents as the generalized subtype. GA has been associated with infections, vaccines, and neoplasias. We describe a case of generalized GA arising in a 50-year-old man with a diffuse infestation by Sarcoptes scabiei.

Modification of lymphoscintigraphic sentinel node identification before and after excisional biopsy of primary cutaneous melanoma.

The aim of this study was to determine whether excision biopsy and primary closure of primary cutaneous melanoma modifies lymphatic drainage and accuracy of sentinel node biopsy. Thirty patients with 31 cutaneous melanomas were prospectively enrolled to undergo lymphoscintigraphy (LS) before and after excision biopsy. Tc-human serum albumin nanocolloid was first injected intradermally around the primary tumor and subsequently, after excision biopsy, adjacent to the scar. Sentinel nodes were identified by preoperative LS and the gamma-probe. Patent Blue V dye was injected intraoperatively before sentinel node biopsy. Intraoperative sentinel node identification was 100%. In 23 of 31 cases, both LSs were concordant in terms of nodal basins visualized. Two patients had a basin downstaged and six patients had a basin upstaged by the second LS. Only 50% of LS hot nodes stained blue (42 of 84). In 24 of 31 cases, the sentinel node was negative for metastases. Seven patients underwent complete lymph node dissection because of sentinel node positivity. Only one patient had metastases also to a non-sentinel node. After a median follow-up of 30 months lymph node metastases have not been observed in the eight discordant cases. This study shows that sentinel node identification and biopsy after lymphatic mapping is accurate after excision biopsy of primary cutaneous melanoma. Excision biopsy may, however, modify lymphatic drainage and a narrow excision margin should be performed if melanoma is suspected.