Junctional Naevus

Features

A juctional naevus is defined as a cellular naevus with juctional activity present on histology.

Clinically, junctional naevi are slightly raised or flat, usually roughly symmetrical, pigmented lesions varying between 1mm and 1cm in diameter. Lesions range from tan through brown to black in colour. On closer examination, lesions can be found to display slight speckling of darker pigment. They are most commonly found in children, and all areas of the skin and muccosae can potentially be affected.

Most lesions do not persist as junctional naevi into adult life. Junctional naevi usually represent the initial stage in the formation of a compound naevus.

Incidence

Very common.

Aetiology

Benign proliferation of melanocytes of unknown aetiology.

Differential Diagnosis

Malignant melanoma. Pigmented basal cell carcinoma.

Treatment

None required.