Histopathologic evaluation of melanocytic nervi in oculocutaneous albinism.

This is a report of the histopathologic findings of melanocytic nevi in patients with oculocutaneous albinism. Seven albino patients, four tyrosinase positive and three tyrosinase negative, with a total of 34 melanocytic lesions were available for examination. The specimens were examined histopathologically for the presence of intranuclear pseudoinclusions, giant melanocytic cells, eosinophilic globules, features of congenital nevi, and atypical changes. A statistically significant increased number of giant melanocytic cells were found in intradermal nevi (p less than 0.0025), compound nevi (p less than 0.01), and junctional nevi of the patients with albinism compared with controls. Eosinophilic globules were found in 17% of the 34 nevi, and congenital features in 8.8%. All lesions showed adequate maturation of cells with no atypical changes. Marked solar elastosis was found in the dermis around and beneath the nevi, even though most lesions were in covered areas.