differential diagnoses of pigmented skin lesions, by relative rates for biopsied lesions, and malignancy potential, including<unk> " at left and top. Nevi are typically diagnosed clinically with the naked eye or using dermatoscopy. More advanced imaging tests are available for distinguishing melanocytic nevi from melanoma, including computerized dermoscopy and image analysis. The management of nevi depends on the type of<unk>  and the degree of diagnostic uncertainty. Some nevi are known to be benign, and may simply be monitored over time. Others may warrant more thorough examination and biopsy for histopathological examination (looking at a sample of skin under a microscope to detect unique cellular features). For example, a clinician may want to determine whether a pigmented<unk>  is a type of melanocytic<unk> , dysplastic<unk> , or melanoma as some of these skin lesions pose a risk for malignancy. The ABCDE criteria (asymmetry, border irregularity, color variegation, diameter > 6 mm, and evolution) are often used to distinguish nevi from melanomas in adults, while modified criteria (amelanosis, bleeding or bumps, uniform color, small diameter or de novo, and evolution) can be used when evaluating suspicious lesions in children. In addition to histopathological examination, some lesions may also warrant additional tests to aid in diagnosis, including special stains, immunohistochemistry, and electron microscopy. Typically, the nevi that exist since childhood are harmless. Image:Dermatoscope.A modern polarized dermatoscope Image:Dermatoscope1.A dermatoscope Differential diagnoses Hypermelanotic nevi must be differentiated from other types of pigmented skin lesions, including: * Lentigo simplex * Solar lentigo * Café au lait macule * Ink-spot lentigo * Mucosal melanotic macule * Mongolian spot (dermal melanocytosis) File:CALSpot.Cafe au lait File:Mongolianspotphoto.Mongolian spot
Nevus
Acanthoma
Papilloma
Xanthoma
Blue nevus
Skin tag
Epulis
Acral nevus