DYSPLASTIC NEVUS - HISTOLOGICAL CRITERIA AND THEIR INTEROBSERVER REPRODUCIBILITY

Forty melanocytic lesions were examined in a pilot study, which was fo llowed by a final series of 100 consecutive melanocytic lesions, in or der to evaluate the inter-observer reproducibility of the histological criteria proposed for the dysplastic naevus. The specimens were exami ned in a blind fashion by four observers. Analysis by kappa statistics showed poor reproducibility of nuclear features, while reproducibilit y of architectural features was acceptable, improving in the final ser ies. Consequently, we cannot apply the combined criteria of cytologica l and architectural features with any confidence in the diagnosis of d ysplastic naevus, and, until further studies have documented that arch itectural criteria alone will suffice in the diagnosis of dysplastic n aevus, we, as pathologists, shall avoid this term.