Melanocytic Nevi – Deep Penetrating Nevus

Deep Penetrating Nevus is a benign melanocytic lesion that I occasionally encounter in both my The Woodlands dermatology and Conroe dermatology offices.  Clinically, Deep Penetrating Nevi present as a pigmented papule on the head and neck region.  They are most common in young adults.  Histologically, they may be confused with a melanoma at first glance but upon closer inspection they have unique architectural and cellular features that identifies them as a benign lesion.  Treatment of a Deep Penetrating Nevus is excision with a 2-3mm margin.