Central nervous system magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities and neurologic outcomes in pediatric patients with congenital nevi: A 10-year multi-institutional retrospective study

Abstract

Background: High-risk congenital melanocytic nevi (CMN) are associated with abnormalities of the central nervous system (CNS), prompting magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) screening guidelines.

Objective: Describe MRI brain and spine abnormalities in children with CMN and report trends between nevus features, MRI findings, and neurologic outcomes.

Methods: Retrospective review of individuals aged ≤18 years with an MRI of the brain and/or spine and at least 1 dermatologist-diagnosed CMN.

Results: Three hundred fifty-two patients were identified. Forty-six children had CMN that prompted an MRI of the brain and/or spine (50% male, average age at first image, 354.8 days). In these children, 8 (17%) had melanin detected in the CNS, of whom all had >4 CMN. One developed brain melanoma (fatal). In patients without CNS melanin, 4 had concerning imaging. Concerning MRI patients had more neurodevelopmental problems, seizures, neurosurgery, and death than individuals with unremarkable imaging. Three hundred six patients received MRIs for other reasons; none detected melanin. No children with only multiple small CMN (n = 15) had concerning imaging.

Limitations: Lack of a control group, cohort size, and retrospective methods.

Conclusion: MRI of the brain and spine is useful for detecting intervenable abnormalities in high-risk children. Healthy infants with few small CMN may not require screening MRI.

Keywords: CMN; congenital melanocytic; congenital nevi; congenital nevus; magnetic resonance imaging; neurocutaneous melanocytosis; neurocutaneous melanosis; neurologic.