Dermatology Therapy

2004 Edition
| Editors: N. Levine, C. C. Levine

Nevoid hypermelanosis

Reference work entry
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-29668-9_1892

Synonym(s)

Lentiginous hyperpigmentation; linear and whorled nevoid hypermelanosis

Definition

Congenital disorder characterized by streaks and whorls of macular hyperpigmentation along Blaschko's lines

Pathogenesis

Presumed to represent somatic mosaicism

Clinical manifestation

Onset in first few weeks of life; irregular swirls of macular hyperpigmentation, following Blaschko's lines; may cross the midline and be discontinuous; may fade somewhat as child ages

Differential diagnosis

Incontinentia pigmenti; hypomelanosis of Ito; Nevus of Ota and Ito; post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation; nevus spilus

Therapy

No effective therapy

References

  1. Schepis C, Siragusa M, Alberti A, Cavallari V (1996) Linear and whorled nevoid hypermelanosis in a boy with mental retardation and congenital defects. International Journal of Dermatology 35(9):654–655PubMedCrossRefGoogle Scholar

Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag 2004