Nevus with fat: clinical characteristics of 100 nevi containing mature adipose cells.

Abstract

The presence of mature adipose cells among the dermal melanocytes of nevi (nevi with fat) has previously been reported. However, its clinical features are not well characterized. Our goal was to develop a better clinical understanding and insight into the histogenesis of nevi with fat by characterizing the patients' age, sex, height, weight, and location of lesion. This was a prospective study of 100 nevi with fat from 89 patients over an 18-month period. Nevi with fat occur 4 times more commonly in women than men. They were diagnosed most often in patients between the ages of 40 to 49 years. The most frequent location is the head and neck. Most nevi with fat are intradermal. The appearance of fat within nevi is probably a multifactorial process. Age, weight, and sun exposure may be factors associated with the occurrence of nevi with fat.