DOI: 10.1111/pde.
13591
Pediatric
BRIEF REPORT Dermatology
Molluscum contagiosum arising in a melanocytic congenital
nevus
Abstract 2 | CASE REPORT
Molluscum contagiosum within a congenital melanocytic nevus has
rarely been reported. We report a 6-year-old child with molluscum A 6-year-old, otherwise healthy boy was followed regularly for a
contagiosum infection arising within an intermediate melanocytic medium-sized CMN on his left thigh (Figure 1A). He was urgently
congenital nevus of the thigh, associated with itching and occasional referred to our clinic because of a 1-month history of new itchy
bleeding. Dermoscopy lead to the correct diagnosis, but histologic bumps within the nevus that occasionally bled. On examination, six
confirmation with shave biopsy was performed to reassure the par- dome-shaped papules, pink to flesh-colored, measuring 0.1 to
ents and allow mechanical removal of the lesions using curettage. 0.5 cm, some covered with hemorrhagic crust, were located exclu-
sively on the surface of the nevus (Figure 1B). The nevus
(15 9 8 cm) was otherwise stable, with terminal hair and a dermo-
scopic globular pattern with brown cobblestone globules and regular
1 | INTRODUCTION
palpable areas of darker pigmentation. Dermoscopy of the eruptive
lesions showed central white to yellow amorphous structures with a
Molluscum contagiosum (MC) is a common skin infection caused by a
peripheral crown of reddish, linear, or pointed vessels (Figure 1C).
DNA virus. Diagnosis is typically based upon clinical examination. Der-
Clinical and dermoscopic evaluation was consistent with the diagno-
moscopy is also a useful diagnostic tool to confirm clinical suspicion,1
sis of MC. We performed curettage of the lesions and sent a shave
but histologic examination is sometimes needed in atypical presenta-
biopsy for histopathologic examination, which showed dermal mela-
tions and when associated with other skin diseases or neoplasms.2
nocytic proliferation, cutaneous hyperplasia, and multiple lobules of
The association between MC and congenital melanocytic nevus
keratinocytes, with abundant cytoplasm, peripheral nuclei, and viral
(CMN) has only rarely been reported.3,4 We present an additional
inclusions (Figure 2A-C). Once the correct diagnosis was confirmed,
case.
(A) (B)
(C)
F I G U R E 1 (A) Melanocytic nevus of
the tight in a 6-year-old old male patient
(B) dome-shaped papules, pink to flesh-
colored, measuring 0.1 to 0.5 cm, some
covered with hematic crust on the surface
of the MN (C) Dermoscopy: central
polylobular white to yellow amorphous
structure with a peripheral crown of
reddish, linear or pointed vessels, within
globular pattern with brown cobblestone
globules
Pediatric Dermatology. 2018;1–2. wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/pde © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. | 1
2 | Pediatric BRIEF REPORT
Dermatology
dysfunctions and fragility, manifesting as superficial erosions, ulcera-
(A)
tions,4 or predisposition to dermatitis as Meyerson’s phenomenon.5
Accordingly, CMN might be more prone also to skin infections such
as MC. Furthermore, MC infection arises in CMN of several centime-
ters in diameter and located on surfaces prone to friction,3,4 corrob-
orating the role of a compromised epidermal barrier. Physician
awareness of this association can allow for recognition and appropri-
ate management.
Keywords
dermatopathology, infection-viral, nevi-melanocytic
ORCID
Laura Atzori https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8105-1402
Marialuisa Corbeddu http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4158-5717
Luca Pilloni https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1420-8887
Franco Rongioletti https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2227-581X
(B) (C)
Laura Atzori MD1
Marialuisa Corbeddu MD1
Marzia Mou MD2
Luca Pilloni MD3
Franco Rongioletti MD1
1
Section of Dermatology, Department of Medical Science and Public
F I G U R E 2 (A) Photomicrograph of a shaving biopsy Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
(haematoxylin-eosin stain) showing dermal melanocytic proliferation, 2
Private practitioner, Jerzu, Italy
multiple lobules of keratinocytes with abundant cytoplasm, peripheral 3
Section of Pathology, Department of Surgery, University of Cagliari,
nuclei, and viral inclusions with also cutaneous hyperplasia. (B) Larger
magnification of viral inclusions (C) Melanocytes disposed into nests Cagliari, Italy
in a benign morphology
Correspondence
Marialuisa Corbeddu, MD, Section of Dermatology, Department of
lesions were mechanically removed using curettage. After 1 year, no Medical Science and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
relapses have occurred. Email: marialuisa.corbeddu@gmail.com
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3 | DISCUSSION
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