Spitz Nevus

Key Points
Condition results in skin lesions that usually affect young fair-skinned children.
Condition results in red or reddish-brown bumps or blisters that are benign.
The cause is unknown.

Spitz naevi or spitz's nevi are skin lesions that usually affect the face or limbs of young children. They grow rapidly at first, then may remain static for years. They often disappear spontaneously after a period of time. Spitz naevi have also been called juvenile melanomas because they resemble malignant tumors clinically and microscopically, but the Spitz naevi are actually benign. Spitz naevi are typically dome-shaped red, reddish-brown or darker bumps or blisters up to one or two centimeters in diameter. It is not known why spitz nevi occur. They seen most often in children and fair-skinned individuals.

Differential Diagnosis (Other conditions with similar appearance)
Basal cell carcinoma
Nevi, melanocytic
Warts

Diagnosis
Key Points
Diagnosis involves clinical and microscopic inspection

Diagnosis involves clinical and microscopic inspection to confirm diagnosis and determine non-malignancy of lesions.

Treatment
Key Points
*It is generally recommended that the lesions be cut out.

Because of the difficultly in definitively predicting the outcome of spitz naevi, it is generally recommended that the lesions be cut out.