Nevus Lipomatosus Superficialis

There are some lesions that only a dermatologist could love.  Nevus Liopmatosus Superficialis (NLS) may be one.

Recently, a 63 yo woman presented with a pedunculated mass on her right costal margin.  It had been present for a few years and did not bother her; but her internist told her to see a dermatologist to have it removed.

Being compliant, she made an appointment.  It was a 3 cm, soft, fleshy, skin-colored nodule on a slender stalk.  At her request I removed it with a simple scissor snip and sent it for pathology.  The clinical diagnosis was “fibroepithelial polyp vs. nevus lipomatosus.”

Clinical Photo:

The pathology showed mature adipose tissue replacing large portions of the dermis.

Photomicrographs courtesy of Lynne Goldberg, dermatopathologist, Boston University Skin Path:

Diagnosis:  Solitary Nevus Lipomatosus Superficialis

Reference:  (PubMed has 30 citations on NLS)

1. Nevus lipomatosus superficialis: A rare cutaneous hamartoma.

Pujani M, et. al.  Indian Dermatol Online J. 2014 Jan;5(1):109-10. Free Full Text.