GIANT CONGENITAL MELANOCYTIC NEVI, NEUROCUTANEOUS MELANOSIS AND NEUROLOGICAL ALTERATIONS

Background: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings suggestive of ne urocutaneous melanosis (NCM) have been reported in asymptomatic patien ts with giant congenital melanocytic nevi (GCMN). Objective: To invest igate the presence of NCM and the clinical neurologic status of patien ts with GCMN involving the head and neck. Methods: Thirteen patients w ith GCMN involving the head and neck were clinically examined by pedia tric specialists in dermatology, ophthalmology and neurology, Electroe ncephalograms, noncontrasted and contrasted computerized tomography (C T) scans and MRI were performed. Results: Eleven of 13 patients with G CMN of the head and neck previously considered asymptomatic were found to present mild but evident neurologic alterations. No signs of NCM w ere found in the CT scans or in the MRI. Conclusions: Patients with GC MN of the head and neck may have associated neurologic alterations not related to the presence of neurocutaneous melanosis.