What are the other Names for this Condition? (Also known as/Synonyms)

• Speckled Lentiginous Nevus
• Zosteriform Lentiginous Nevus

What is Nevus Spilus? (Definition/Background Information)

• A Nevus Spilus is a fairly common condition, wherein there is a potentially large area of pigmented skin patches on the body
• A nevus (plural nevi) is a mole on the skin that can occur on any part of the body. Spilus means “speckled”. A Nevus Spilus is a grouped collection of many small similar-appearing nevi
• The mole can be present anywhere on the body, though most of them are seen on the chest or back. In most cases, these moles are asymptomatic
• They also do not present any significant complications, but may cause cosmetic concerns in some individuals
• Risk factors for acquiring the condition include PHACES syndrome and Epstein syndrome. Nevus Spilus is observed to occur spontaneously and the cause is largely unknown
• Treatment is generally not required for a Nevus Spilus unless it presents cosmetic issues. The prognosis is excellent with or without treatment, since these skin lesions are generally benign

Who gets Nevus Spilus? (Age and Sex Distribution)

• Nevus Spilus is a skin condition that may be present at birth or form at any age in an individual. However, mainly children and adolescents are noted to have this type of nevus
• Both males and females are affected and there is no gender bias observed
• All racial and ethnic groups are at risk

What are the Risk Factors for Nevus Spilus? (Predisposing Factors)

The risk factors identified for Nevus Spilus include:

• PHACES syndrome, an uncommon congenital disorder of hemangiomas
• Epstein syndrome
• The presence of a condition called phacomatosis pigmentokeratotica - an uncommon skin condition

It is important to note that having a risk factor does not mean that one will get the condition. A risk factor increases ones chances of getting a condition compared to an individual without the risk factors. Some risk factors are more important than others.

Also, not having a risk factor does not mean that an individual will not get the condition. It is always important to discuss the effect of risk factors with your healthcare provider.

What are the Causes of Nevus Spilus? (Etiology)

• The cause of Nevus Spilus formation is unknown
• Genetic mutations have been suspected by researchers in some cases, but these have not been well-characterized

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Nevus Spilus?

Nevus Spilus may not present any major signs and symptoms in most cases. The general features of the tumor may include:

• It is a benign tumor occurring as medium to large areas of pigmented skin patches
• The patches may be faintly pigmented, and sometimes, they may not even be very visible to the naked eye. There may also be lighter and darker pigmented areas within the lesion
• The nevus/mole may be between 1-15 cm in size (along the larger dimension), though some may be even larger than 15 cm
• They are slow-growing and may be single or many in numbers
• Nevus Spilus can occur anywhere on the body. However, the most common site is the trunk

The skin lesions may occur at birth or very early in life.

How is Nevus Spilus Diagnosed?

A Nevus Spilus is diagnosed through the following tools:

• Complete physical examination with evaluation of medical history
• Dermoscopy: It is a diagnostic tool where a dermatologist examines the skin using a special magnified lens
• Wood’s lamp examination: In this procedure, the healthcare provider examines the skin using ultraviolet light. It is performed to examine the change in skin pigmentation
• Serial photographs can help one record a changing skin condition over time
• Skin biopsy: A skin biopsy is performed and sent to a laboratory for a pathological examination. The pathologist examines the biopsy under a microscope. After putting together clinical findings, special studies on tissues (if needed) and with microscope findings, the pathologist arrives at a definitive diagnosis

Note: In a majority of cases, no biopsy is necessary. But they may be performed if there is an area of concern, or to rule out other conditions presenting similar signs and symptoms.

Many clinical conditions may have similar signs and symptoms. Your healthcare provider may perform additional tests to rule out other clinical conditions to arrive at a definitive diagnosis.

What are the possible Complications of Nevus Spilus?

There are frequently no complications that arise from a Nevus Spilus.

• Nevertheless, in some individuals, it may give rise to cosmetic concerns and stress
• Rarely, malignant melanoma is known to develop from these sites, and hence, close follow-up is important and necessary
• Scratching or itching of the moles may lead to bleeding and ulceration. This can cause secondary bacterial or fungal infections to develop
• Recurrence of the tumor on its incomplete excision and removal

How is Nevus Spilus Treated?

The treatment measures for Nevus Spilus include:

• The healthcare provider may choose to regularly observe the benign mole; a “wait and watch” approach may be followed. In such cases, no treatment is generally required
• Surgical excision and removal of the mole, if necessary for cosmetic reasons
• Follow-up care with regular screening and check-ups are important and encouraged

How can Nevus Spilus be Prevented?

Current medical research has not established a method of preventing the occurrence of Nevus Spilus.

What is the Prognosis of Nevus Spilus? (Outcomes/Resolutions)

• The prognosis of Nevus Spilus is excellent on its complete excision and removal
• Since, these are benign conditions, the prognosis is excellent even if no treatment is provided and only periodic observation maintained

Additional and Relevant Useful Information for Nevus Spilus:

• There is no evidence to prove that the tumor formation is influenced by one’s dietary choices
• Cleaning the skin too hard with strong chemicals or soaps may aggravate the skin condition. Care must be taken avoid strong soaps and chemicals that could potentially worsen the condition
• The presence of dirt on the body is not a causative factor for the condition. However, it helps to be clean and hygienic, which may help the condition from getting worse