Epidermolysis bullosa simplex and nevogenesis.

Abstract

A 13-year-old boy suffering from epidermolysis bullosa simplex (EBS) since birth presented numerous melanocytic nevi throughout the entire skin surface. One of the melanocytic nevi, which was located under the nail lamina of the second toe of the righ foot, apparently disappeared due to the traumatic detachment of the nail. However, three months later the nevus reappeared, protruding beyond the free border of the nail, which was in the meantime returned, and surrounded by satellite lesions. These threatening clinical features led to remove the nevus. The histological examination showed a trivial melanocytic junctional nevus. According to the Authors, the trauma causing the detachment of the nail lamina also destroyed the basal keratinocytes but not all the melanocytes, thus altering the close relationship between keratinocytes and melanocytes and including the rapid proliferation of melanocytes (Presented in the International Congress of Neonatal Dermatology - Bari - Italy, September 24-27, 1998).