The melanocytic nevus is seen infrequently in the oral cavity, and presumably has a sequence of development similar to cutaneous melanocytic nevi.
The lesion can be identified at any age, and no sex predilection is seen.
Such lesions are asymptomatic, and no systemic signs, predisposing medical history, or risk factors are associated with the development of the intraoral melanocytic nevus.
The intraoral melanocytic nevus presumably evolves slowly, over a period of months to years.
Common acquired nevus - Oral Mucosal Lesion
See also in: Overview,External and Internal Eye,Hair and ScalpAlerts and Notices
Synopsis
Codes
ICD10CM:
D22.9 – Melanocytic nevi, unspecified
SNOMEDCT:
400096001 – Melanocytic nevus
D22.9 – Melanocytic nevi, unspecified
SNOMEDCT:
400096001 – Melanocytic nevus
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Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls
- Amalgam tattoo (exogenous pigmentation) – This is the most common intraoral pigmented lesion. Usually the amalgam tattoo is not elevated and particles of dental amalgam (silver filling material) can often be detected on periapical radiographs of the lesional site.
- Melanotic macule / post-traumatic melanosis – These focal areas of melanin deposition could appear clinically identical to a junctional melanocytic nevus. Biopsy would be necessary to distinguish between the two.
- Melanoacanthoma – This uncommon condition occurs most frequently in young adult African-American woman, typically on the buccal mucosa. The lesion is generally much larger (1 cm or greater) than a melanocytic nevus, and it often follows a characteristic pattern of spontaneous involution over a period of days to weeks.
- Melanoma (primary or metastatic) – Both primary and metastatic melanoma are rarely seen intraorally, and in their earliest phases could be mistaken for melanocytic nevus.
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Last Updated:06/07/2016
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Common acquired nevus - Oral Mucosal Lesion
See also in: Overview,External and Internal Eye,Hair and Scalp