Korean J Dermatol.
2016 Sep;54(8):638-641.
A Case of Halo Phenomenon Induced by Molluscum Contagiosum
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Eulji University, Daejeon, Korea. sun_lee@eulji.ac.kr
Abstract
- Halo nevi (HN), also known as Sutton's nevi or leukoderma acquisitum centrifugum, are nevomelanocytic nevi surrounded by a rim of depigmentation. A 9-year-old female presented with an asymptomatic solitary flesh-colored 0.75-cm-sized papule surrounded by depigmentation on the right cheek 1 month ago. The excisional biopsy demonstrated molluscum contagiosum and decreased basal layer pigmentation on Fontana-Masson stain. The halo phenomenon is often associated with an acquired nevus cell nevus, but has also been associated with a congenital nevus cell nevus, non-neuroectodermal lesions such as angiomas, seborrheic keratoses, lichen planus, sarcoid, psoriasis, involuting flat warts, and histiocytoma. Our patient had an unusual association of molluscum contagiosum with the halo phenomenon. We suppose that the halo phenomenon in this patient might have been provoked by the molluscum contagiosum virus. A halo nevus-like appearance suggests the possibility of disease other than nevus. In such cases, skin biopsy is required for confirmation.
