RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 New insights into oculodermal nevogenesis and proposal for a new iris nevus classification
JF British Journal of Ophthalmology
JO Br J Ophthalmol
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.
SP 644
OP 649
DO 10.1136/bjophthalmol-2014-305849
VO 99
IS 5
A1 Christoph Schwab
A1 Iris Zalaudek
A1 Christoph Mayer
A1 Regina Riedl
A1 Werner Wackernagel
A1 Herbert Juch
A1 Birgit Aigner
A1 Alexandra Maria Brunasso
A1 Gerald Langmann
A1 Erika Richtig
YR 2015
UL http://bjo.bmj.com/content/99/5/644.abstract
AB Background/aims To gain more knowledge about presence and dermatological associations of iris nevi as well as possible pathways involved in the formation of iris nevi. Methods We conducted a prospective, interdisciplinary observational study. Presence, morphology, topography of iris and cutaneous nevi as well as factors indicating sun-exposure were noted. Results A total of 632 participants including 360 (57%) women were examined. Of those, 26 subjects revealed 27 iris nevi. According to the current classification, all iris nevi were judged as solitary with the majority of them (n=20; 74%) located in the lower quadrants. In six (22.2%) cases we noted a peculiar 'incomplete sectoral pattern'; these nevi were located close to the pupil, were larger and had a more elongated, triangular shape compared with those located distant from the pupil, which appeared smaller and more roundish. Notably, five of these six peculiar (incomplete sectoral) iris nevi were located on the upper half of the iris. Conclusions Based on our findings we propose classifying iris nevi into sectoral, incomplete sectoral and solitary subtypes. Additionally, we set up a hypothetic concept of oculodermal nevogenesis suggesting a time-dependent embryogenic alteration affecting the normal melanocyte location, migration and maturation along peripheral nerve sheets. Our new concept explains well the morphology and extension of benign melanocytic proliferations in the ocular region as well as their relation to uveal melanoma.