Nevus with cyst is characterized by a melanocytic nevus that is closel
y associated anatomically with an epidermoid cyst. We describe the cli
nicopathologic manifestations of 93 cases (from 92 individuals) observ
ed during a 6-year period and review the features of the 69 previously
reported nevi with cysts in the world literature. It is important for
both clinicians and pathologists to recognize this common benign cond
ition because growth of these lesions is frequently misinterpreted by
the patient as representing either a new melanoma or malignant transfo
rmation of a preexisting lesion. Variants of nevus with cyst include l
esions in which the nevus is a congenital, ''dysplastic,'' blue, or Sp
itz nevus. The cysts may be steatocystomas, hidrocystomas, dermoid, or
trichilemmal cysts. In some cases, folliculitis may be present within
the nevus instead of a true cyst.