Congenital melanocytic nevus

The congenital melanocytic nevus is a type of melanocytic nevus(or mole) found in infantsat birth. Occuring in about 1% of infants in the United States, it is located in the area of the headand neck 15% of the time.

The appearance of the congenital melanocytic nevus is similar to those of acquired ones, but are usually larger in diameterand may have excess hair, called hypertrichosis. If large with hypertrichosis, it is called giant hairy nevus.

Microscopically, the congenital melanocytic nevus appears similar to acquired nevi with two notable exceptions. For the congenital nevus, the neval cells are found deeper into the dermis. Also, the deeper neval cells are found along with neurovascular bundleswith both surrounding hair follicles, sebaceous glands, and subcutaneousfat.

Many are surgically removed for aesthetics, but larger ones are excised for prevention of cancer. 5 - 15% transform into melanoma.

References

• Kahn, Michael A. Basic Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology. Volume 1. 2001.

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It uses material from the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congenital+melanocytic+nevus Wikipedia article Congenital melanocytic nevus.