epidermal naevus
Last reviewed 01/2018
An epidermal naevus may occur as a single lesion unassociated with any other developmental abnormality or may occur (especially when on the face) eg with neurological defects, in a syndrome.
A naevus may be composed of a proliferation of any epidermal structures (verrucous, sebaceous, eccrine, apocrine, follicular). The predominant epidermal structure that has undergone proliferation will determine the lesions clinical characteristics. Although uncommon, some naevi may undergo malignant transformation.
An epidermal naevus predominantly composed of sebaceous tissue (sebaceous naevus) generally occurs on the scalp as a leaf-shaped, flesh coloured lesion. This lesion may undergo a malignant transformation to form a basal cell carcinoma.