Clinical Study of Nevus Anemicus

Chung, Han Gil; Hann, Seung Kyung; Park, Yoon Kee; Park, Jong Ryool

Abstract

Nevus anemicus is a congenital anomaly characterized by pale macules of varying size and shape, and it is due to the increased sensitivity of blood vessels to catecholamines. However, the clinical features of nevus anemicus are not yet fully established. A clinical observation was made analyzing 26 cases of nevus anemicus over a 10-year period. Histopathological investigation in 6 cases, stain with Fontana-Masson in 4 cases, irradiation of ultraviolet B in 5 cases, digital infrared thermal imaging in 5 cases and color analysis using true-color imaging in 12 cases were also performed. The results were as follows: 1. The ratio of men to women was 1.2:1. The lesions were mostly(80%) present before the age of 18, but only 15% of the patients' lesions were present at birth. 2. The lesions were most frequently found on the face(33.3%) and neck(33.3%), followed by the chest(14.8%), lower extremities(7.4%) and back(7.4%). 3. Most patients(92.3%) had a single lesion. The extent of the lesions did not exceed 10% of the body surface area and the lesions did not show any progression or resolution. 4. The stainability of Fontana-Masson in nevus anemicus lesions showed no significant change compared with perilesional normal skin. 5. Irradiation of ultraviolet B ray(minimal erythemal dose to 80mJ/cm2) did not induce erythema on nevus anemicus lesions. 6. There was no significant temperature difference between nevus anemicus lesions and perilesional normal skin. 7. There was no significant correlation between chrominance and age. In conclusion, nevus anemicus in Korea shows the same incidence in both sexes, it usually arises at birth or childhood, but it may also develop later in life. Most patients show focal lesions that do not progress or resolve.