eMedicine Specialties > Dermatology > Benign Neoplasms

Halo Nevus

Edward J Zabawski Jr, DO, RPh, Dermatologist, Spencer Dermatology Group
Clay J Cockerell, MD, Director, Clinical Professor, Department of Dermatology, Division of Dermatopathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

Updated: May 28, 2009

Introduction

Background

Halo nevi are common benign skin lesions that represent melanocytic nevi in which an inflammatory infiltrate develops, resulting in a zone of depigmentation surrounding the nevus. Although Sutton originally described the lesion in 1916 as leukoderma acquisita centrifugum, the lesions were noted earlier, as evidenced by their depiction in the painting The Temptation of Saint Anthony by Matthias Gr ü nwald circa 1512-1516.¹

Because melanoma that has undergone regression may appear gray or white, halo nevi have been erroneously confused with melanoma and have been the source of much anxiety among both clinicians and patients. Nevertheless, they are entirely benign lesions and of only cosmetic significance.

Pathophysiology

The etiology of halo nevi is unknown. Numerous studies have attempted to unravel the immunologic mechanisms by which an immune response develops to existing aggregates of nevus cells.² The infiltrating cells are predominantly T-lymphocytes, and cytotoxic (CD8) lymphocytes outnumber helper (CD4) lymphocytes by a ratio of approximately 4:1. These, as well as scattered macrophages, comprise most inflammatory cells in halo nevi.³ As seen in vitiligo, melanocytes in the epidermis in the halo component of the nevus are completely absent, suggesting a similar etiologic mechanism. The exact role that the lymphocytes play in the regression of halo nevi has not been fully determined, although a theory of direct cytotoxic effects on melanocytes seems plausible.

Of interest, circulating antibodies to the cytoplasm of melanoma cells have been detected in patients with halo nevi.⁴ Because these antibodies have disappeared after removal of the halo nevus, they were thought to be related. Subsequent investigation failed to reveal a temporal relation between the appearance of these antibodies and the regression of nevus cells, and these antibodies are now believed to appear as a consequence of the release of cytoplasmic proteins of halo nevus melanocytes secondary to cell damage.

Ultrastructurally, advanced lesions of halo nevus show dermal macrophages containing portions of nevus cells. While it is clear that an immunologic mechanism results in the demise of melanocytes in halo nevi, the precipitating cause and the exact role of the lymphocytes remain unknown.⁵

Frequency

United States

The incidence of halo nevi in the population is estimated to be 1%.⁶ Patients with Turner syndrome have been reported to have an increased incidence of halo nevi.⁷

Mortality/Morbidity

Halo nevi are benign. Morbidity is minimal and limited to cosmetic appearance.

Race

All races are susceptible to the development of these lesions. A familial tendency for halo nevi has been reported.

Sex

No sexual predilection is reported.

Age

Halo nevi are found most commonly in children. The average age of onset is 15 years.

Clinical

History

Patients with halo nevi are usually asymptomatic. The central nevus may or may not involute with time. Repigmentation often takes place over months or years; however, it does not always occur. Occasionally, inflammation occurs with crusting in the depigmented zone of a halo nevus. Most commonly, the chief complaint is that of a changing mole (or moles).

Physical

Halo nevi are usually single but may be multiple. They can develop anywhere on the body but are seen most frequently on the trunk. Clinically, they appear as one or more uniformly colored, evenly shaped, round or oval nevi centrally with even peripheral margins of hypopigmentation. The central nevus may be tan, pink, or brown. The width of the halo is variable but is generally of uniform radial distance from the central nevus.

Classic appearance of a halo nevus.

Note the central pink papule (intradermal nevus) and the surrounding halo. The halo is of uniform width at all points, and no inflammatory component can be seen. Note the normal nevus directly inferior.

Causes

The cause is unknown, but halo nevus is believed to be due to an immune response against melanocytes.

Differential Diagnoses

Other Problems to Be Considered

Dysplastic nevus
Hypopigmented sarcoidosis
Verruca plana
Sunscreen application⁸

Workup

Other Tests

Performing an examination using a Wood lamp may aid in differentiating halo nevi from other disorders.

Procedures

Lesions that are not uniform in shape and color or that have a papular component that is not centrally located should be considered for biopsy to exclude the presence of melanocytic atypia.

Histologic Findings

The histology of halo nevus is variable depending on the age of the lesion; however, in most cases, a dense, somewhat bandlike lymphocytic infiltrate is present in the papillary and often reticular dermis with nests of nevus cells located centrally. The lesion usually demonstrates a dome-shaped architecture similar to that seen in noninflamed nevi. Identifying residual nevus cells may be difficult in some cases, particularly with older lesions or those in which the infiltrate is quite dense. Mitotic figures usually are not seen, although occasional apoptotic cells may be identified. Macrophages may be seen within the infiltrate, some of which are laden with melanin, although, surprisingly, the number of melanophages is less than would be expected in an inflamed melanocytic lesion.

At low magnification, a dome-shaped papular lesion reveals a dense infiltrate of lymphocytes in the dermis (hematoxylin and eosin, original magnification X40).

Higher magnification reveals nests of nevus cells with numerous lymphocytes surrounding them and in the interstitium (hematoxylin and eosin, original magnification X40).

Treatment

Medical Care

Halo nevi are benign, and no treatment is necessary.

Consultations

The chief diagnostic consideration in patients with halo nevi is melanoma that is undergoing regression, although making this distinction is not usually difficult. Primary melanoma is usually solitary, whereas halo nevi are commonly multiple. Furthermore, children are affected more commonly with halo nevi; adults are affected far more commonly by melanoma.⁹

Melanomas with surrounding white or hypopigmented zones usually have been present for an extended period of time, and the white areas represent zones of regression. Thus, the "halo" of a regressing melanoma is irregular in shape and variable in radial width, as opposed to the evenly distributed, circular zone of hypopigmentation in true halo nevi, which is distributed around the central nevus. Furthermore, melanomas usually exhibit the characteristic clinical signs of breadth, asymmetry, poor circumscription, and color irregularity with black foci that usually allow the diagnosis to be rendered with relative ease.

In spite of clinically benign features, the presence of a new "halo nevus" in an older adult should be regarded with a high index of suspicion for melanoma and may warrant performing a biopsy. In those patients where a potential malignancy is in question, a dermatologist should be consulted.

Follow-up

Complications

The course of halo nevi is normally uncomplicated. Problems arise in those instances where the lesions have been misdiagnosed or when the lesion is excised and wound complications develop postoperatively.

Prognosis

Because halo nevi are benign, the prognosis for patients is excellent.

Patient Education

Patients should be instructed to monitor the lesion. If changes occur that suggest irregularity or if such symptoms as bleeding, itching, pain, or ulceration develop, the patient should be reevaluated promptly to exclude the possibility of cutaneous melanoma. For excellent patient education resources, visit eMedicine's Procedures Center. Also, see eMedicine's patient education article Mole Removal.

Miscellaneous

Medicolegal Pitfalls

Malignant melanoma may mimic halo nevus; the differentiating clinical features may be difficult to discern. If the diagnosis is questionable, consultation with a dermatologist should be sought as soon as possible.

Multimedia

Media file 1: Classic appearance of a halo nevus.

Media file 2: Note the central pink papule (intradermal nevus) and the surrounding halo. The halo is of uniform width at all points, and no inflammatory component can be seen. Note the normal nevus directly inferior.

Media file 3: At low magnification, a dome-shaped papular lesion reveals a dense infiltrate of lymphocytes in the dermis (hematoxylin and eosin, original magnification X40).

Media file 4: Higher magnification reveals nests of nevus cells with numerous lymphocytes surrounding them and in the interstitium (hematoxylin and eosin, original magnification X40).

References

1. Happle R. [Grunewald nevus]. Hautarzt. Dec 1994;45(12):882-3. [Medline].

2. Zeff RA, Freitag A, Grin CM, Grant-Kels JM. The immune response in halo nevi. J Am Acad Dermatol. Oct 1997;37(4):620-4. [Medline].

3. Patrizi A, Neri I, Sabattini E, Rizzoli L, Misciali C. Unusual inflammatory and hyperkeratotic halo naevus in children. Br J Dermatol. Feb 2005;152(2):357-60. [Medline].

4. Fishman HC. Letter: Malignant melanoma arising with two halo nevi. Arch Dermatol. Mar 1976;112(3):407-8. [Medline].

5. Jacobs JB, Edelstein LM, Snyder LM, Fortier N. Ultrastructural evidence for destruction in the halo nevus. Cancer Res. Feb 1975;35(2):352-7. [Medline].

6. Herd RM, Hunter JA. Familial halo naevi. Clin Exp Dermatol. Mar 1998;23(2):68-9. [Medline].

7. Brazzelli V, Larizza D, Martinetti M, et al. Halo nevus, rather than vitiligo, is a typical dermatologic finding of turner's syndrome: clinical, genetic, and immunogenetic study in 72 patients. J Am Acad Dermatol. Sep 2004;51(3):354-8. [Medline].

8. Zalaudek I, Moscarella E, Argenziano G. Artifactual "pseudo-halo nevi" secondary to sunscreen application. J Am Acad Dermatol. Jun 2006;54(6):1106-7. [Medline].

9. Berg P, Lindelof B. Differences in malignant melanoma between children and adolescents. A 35-year epidemiological study. Arch Dermatol. Mar 1997;133(3):295-7. [Medline].

Keywords

halo nevus, nevus of Sutton, halo nevi, Sutton nevus, Sutton nevi, melanoma, malignant melanoma

Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Edward J Zabawski Jr, DO, RPh, Dermatologist, Spencer Dermatology Group
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Clay J Cockerell, MD, Director, Clinical Professor, Department of Dermatology, Division of Dermatopathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Clay J Cockerell, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, International Academy of Pathology, International AIDS Society, International Society for Dermatologic Surgery, North American Clinical Dermatologic Society, Society for Investigative Dermatology, and Southern Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Susan M Swetter, MD, Director, Pigmented Lesion and Cutaneous Melanoma Clinic, Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology, Stanford University Medical Center, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System
Susan M Swetter, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, American Society of Clinical Oncology, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group, Pacific Dermatologic Association, Society for Investigative Dermatology, Society for Melanoma Research, and Women's Dermatologic Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Richard P Vinson, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Dermatology, Texas Tech University School of Medicine; Consulting Staff, Mountain View Dermatology, PA
Richard P Vinson, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, Association of Military Dermatologists, Texas Dermatological Society, and Texas Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

Jeffrey Meffert, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology, University of Texas Health Science Center-San Antonio
Jeffrey Meffert, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, Association of Military Dermatologists, and Texas Dermatological Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Catherine Quirk, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, Brown University
Catherine Quirk, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha and American Academy of Dermatology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

William D James, MD, Paul R Gross Professor of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine; Vice-Chair, Program Director, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Health System
William D James, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology and Society for Investigative Dermatology
Disclosure: elsevier Royalty Other; american college of physicians Honoraria Other

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