Pediatric Surgical Pathology of Head and Neck Skin Lesions

This chapter reviews lesions of the skin occurring in children that occur predominantly in, or that have specific clinical relevance to, the head and neck region and for which surgical intervention is indicated. There is emphasis on melanocytic tumors, as melanoma is the most significant potentially lethal condition affecting the skin of the head and neck in children. Several medical and surgical specialties are involved in the management of pediatric cutaneous head and neck lesions, including dermatology, plastic and reconstructive surgery, and oral and maxillofacial surgery, in addition to otolaryngology head and neck surgery. The specimens received by the pathologist include biopsies of various types, lesional excisions and wide or extended resections. Many skin lesions of the head and neck region arise in the superficial subcutaneous or soft tissues, peripheral nerves, vessels, and lymphoid tissues and these are discussed in other chapters.