Becker's nevus syndrome revisited

Becker's Nevus in a Male: A Case Report

Nevus is a group of melanocytes that grow together to form a benign growth on the skin. It is often a black lesion that may protrude from the skin. Becker's nevus is a hyperpigmented lesion that presents congenitally or is acquired. The pigmentation and unusually high hair growth might grow darker with time. Becker's nevus, which can interchangeably be called Becker's melanosis, is a rare disease usually presented by men. The following case is of a 21-year-old male who presented with a hyperpigmented lesion on his right arm. The lesion started at age 16 and increased in size gradually; it involved the flexor surface of the right elbow joint and showed hypertrichosis with irregular margins. On examination, the top dermis contained melanophages, and the basal layer was hyperpigmented. Based on clinical appearance and examination, Becker's nevus was diagnosed.

Combination of Non-Ablative Fractional Laser with Q-Switched Laser for the Treatment of Becker's Nevus: Efficacy and Limitations

Becker's nevus (BN) is a benign hamartoma that may present as a distressing cosmetic problem. The treatment of BN poses a significant challenge as current therapeutic modalities are suboptimal and have an increased risk of adverse effects, such as scarring and dyspigmentation. We present the use of non-ablative fractional laser therapy combined with Q-switched Nd:YAG laser as a possible therapeutic option for BN treatment and review relevant literature to discuss its efficacy and limitations.

Evaluating the Roles of Different Types of Laser Therapy in Becker’s Nevus Treatment

Becker’s nevus (BN) is a cutaneous hamartoma of benign nature that develops through adolescence and affects mostly young men. The nevus is usually located unilaterally and is characterized by hypertrichosis and hyperpigmentation. Despite recent advances in treatment modalities, no effective treatment has been established for BN hyperpigmentation. We sought to assess the efficacy and safety of fractional Erbium: YAG 2940 nm and Q-switched Nd: YAG 1064 nm lasers in the treatment of BN hyperpigmentation. Twenty-three patients with BN were included in a prospective, randomized-controlled, observer-blinded, split-lesion comparative technique trial. In each patient, two similar square test regions were randomized to either be treated with a fractional Erbium: YAG 2940 nm laser or with a Q-switched Nd: YAG 1064 nm laser. Each patient was treated with three sessions at six-week intervals. At the follow-up, clearance of hyperpigmentation was assessed by physician global assessment, visual analogue scale, grade of improvement, patient global assessment, and patient satisfaction. Regions treated with the fractional Erbium: YAG 2940 nm laser demonstrated significantly better improvement compared to ones treated with the Q-switched Nd: YAG 1064 nm (p-value = 0.001) laser. Adverse effects such as repigmentation and hypertrophic scarring were not reported during the follow-up period. The outcomes were cosmetically acceptable with overall high satisfaction among the included patients. Our data suggest a superior role for the fractional Erbium: YAG (2940 nm) laser in the treatment of BN hyperpigmentation compared to the Q-switched Nd: YAG (1064 nm) laser, along with being a safer method and having no reported side effects.

An update on Becker's nevus: pathogenesis and treatment

Becker's nevus (BN) manifests as a hyperpigmented, sometimes hypertrichotic plaque/patch over the chest and shoulder, and it is in the category of benign cutaneous hamartomas. BN has elongation and fusion of the rete ridge, keratotic plugging, sebaceous hyperplasia, smooth muscle hyperplasia, and hyperpigmentation of the basal/suprabasal layer histologically. This article highlights all issues involved in pathogenesis and treatment options of BN. According to current research, postzygotic ACTB mutations induce BN and Becker's nevus syndrome (BNS). Although several therapy strategies were utilized to treat the pigmentary and hypertrichotic aspects of BN, no definitive standard treatment was identified to far, and further research is needed to better educate BN care. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

ACTB Mutations Analysis and Genotype-Phenotype Correlation in Becker's Nevus

Becker's nevus (BN) is a cutaneous hamartoma which is characterized by circumscribed hyperpigmentation with hypertrichosis. Recent studies have revealed that BN patients harbored postzygotic ACTB mutations, which were restricted to arrector pili muscle lineage. We screened for ACTB mutations in 20 Chinese patients with BN and found that recurrent mutations (c.C439A or c.C439T) in ACTB were detected in the majority of BN patients. However, more than 20% of the patients were negative for ACTB mutations, suggesting a possible genetic heterogeneity in Becker's nevus. Interestingly, these mutations were also detected in dermal tissues outside the arrector pili muscle. We further performed genotype-phenotype correlation analysis, which revealed that lesions above the waistline, including the trunk above the anterior superior spine level, upper limbs and face, or covering more than 1% BSA were more likely to be positive for ACTB mutations. Altogether, our results provide further evidence of postzygotic ACTB mutations in BN patients and suggest a possible genotype-phenotype correlation of BN.

Acne Syndromes and Mosaicism

Abnormal mosaicism is the coexistence of cells with at least two genotypes, by the time of birth, in an individual derived from a single zygote, which leads to a disease phenotype. Somatic mosaicism can be further categorized into segmental mosaicism and nonsegmental somatic mosaicism. Acne is a chronic illness characterized by inflammatory changes around and in the pilosebaceous units, commonly due to hormone- and inflammatory signaling-mediated factors. Several systemic disorders, such as congenital adrenal hyperplasia, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and seborrhoea-acne-hirsutism-androgenetic alopecia syndrome have classically been associated with acne. Autoinflammatory syndromes, including PAPA, PASH, PAPASH, PsAPASH, PsaPSASH, PASS, and SAPHO syndromes include acneiform lesions as a key manifestation. Mosaic germline mutations in the FGFR2 gene have been associated with Apert syndrome and nevus comedonicus, two illnesses that are accompanied by acneiform lesions. In this review, we summarize the concept of cutaneous mosaicism and elaborate on acne syndromes, as well as acneiform mosaicism.

Epidermal Nevi: What Is New

This article reviews the clinical findings of epidermal nevi and their associated syndromes and provides an update on their pathogenic genetic changes as well as targeted therapies detailed to date.

Breast lipofilling as a treatment for breast hypoplasia in Becker naevus syndrome: a case report

A Becker's naevus is a rare, pigmented, cutaneous hamartoma, which when associated with other cutaneous or musculoskeletal anomalies is termed Becker naevus syndrome. Female patients commonly seek medical attention for breast hypoplasia. Here, we describe our experience in the surgical management of unilateral breast hypoplasia in a patient with Becker naevus syndrome, using high-volume autologous fat grafting. This is, to our knowledge, the second report in the literature describing the aforementioned management technique in this patient cohort.

Comprehensive Treatment of a Skeletal Class III Growing Patient with Alveolar Bone Hypertrophy in the Anterior Mandible Associated with Becker's Nevus Syndrome: A Case Report

Becker's nevus is a relatively common skin lesion with brown hyperpigmentation and hypertrichosis. It may be expressed simultaneously with other cutaneous, muscular, or skeletal defects, such as hypoplasia of the breast or scoliosis, for which the term "Becker's nevus syndrome" has been proposed. An 8-year-old boy presented with a Becker's nevus on the right cheek, chin, and upper neck with alveolar bone hypertrophy in the anterior mandible, which led to an anterior crossbite and severe canting of the mandibular anterior teeth. Through orthopedic treatment using a face mask, the anteroposterior jaw relationship was improved. In phase 2 treatment, we corrected the canting of the mandibular anterior teeth with a segmental intrusion of the mandibular anterior right teeth into the hypertrophic alveolar bone area. The facial profile was improved along with acceptable occlusion, and the treatment result was stable at 1 year after the end of the treatment, without any periodontal attachment loss, root resorption of mandibular anterior teeth, or increase in the size of the hypertrophic region. This case report describes the successful comprehensive treatment of a growing patient with skeletal Class III malocclusion and multiple characteristics of Becker's nevus syndrome.

Segmental Ipsilateral Odontognathic Dysplasia (Mandibular Involvement in Segmental Odontomaxillary Dysplasia?) and Identification of PIK3CA Somatic Variant in Lesional Mandibular Gingival Tissue

Segmental odontomaxillary dysplasia (SOD) is a developmental condition of the middle and posterior maxilla featuring dysplastic bone overgrowth, dental abnormalities and, occasionally, various homolateral cutaneous manifestations. Herein, we describe an individual with maxillary abnormality akin to SOD and associated ipsilateral segmental odontomandibular dysplasia. Also, the result of the evaluation of lesional mandibular gingival tissue for overgrowth-related gene variants is reported. An 8-year-old girl presented clinically with congenital maxillary and mandibular alveolar soft tissue enlargement in the area of the premolars. A panoramic radiograph revealed abnormal trabeculation essentially similar to SOD in the maxilla and mandible with congenitally missing maxillary and mandibular first and second premolars and mandibular canines. Diagnostic mandibular bone biopsy was performed and lesional mandibular gingival hyperplastic tissue was obtained for variant analysis of somatic overgrowth genes PIK3CA, AKT1, AKT3, GNAQ, GNA11, MTOR, PIK3R2. Cone beam computerized tomography (CBCT) disclosed osseous abnormalities on the left side of the maxilla and mandible and very mild osseous expansion in the mandible. Histologically, abnormal bone exhibiting prominent reversal lines was present and associated with fibrocollagenous tissue. Genomic DNA analysis disclosed PIK3CAc.1571G>A; pArg524Lys which was seen at a low mosaic level in the blood, indicating a post-zygotic change. Although this case may be a unique disorder, by sharing features with SOD, one can suggest the possibility of mandibular involvement in SOD. The presence of a PIK3CA variant may support the hypothesis that these segmental disorders could be part of the PIK3CA-related overgrowth spectrum.

Mosaicism in genodermatoses

Genodermatoses are inherited disorders presenting with cutaneous manifestations with or without the involvement of other systems. The majority of these disorders, particularly in cases that present with a cutaneous patterning, may be explained in the context of genetic mosaicism. Despite the barriers to the genetic analysis of mosaic disorders, next-generation sequencing has led to a substantial progress in understanding their pathogenesis, which has significant implications for the clinical management and genetic counseling. Advances in paired and deep sequencing technologies in particular have made the study of mosaic disorders more feasible. In this review, we provide an overview of genetic mosaicism as well as mosaic cutaneous disorders and the techniques required to study them.

Keratinocytic epidermal nevus with ipsilateral breast hypoplasia

Breast hypoplasia has been reported in some epidermal nevus syndromes, but not with a keratinocytic epidermal nevus. Herein, we describe the first case of breast hypoplasia associated with a keratinocytic epidermal nevus. Keratinocytic epidermal nevi have been shown to be associated with somatic mutations in FGFR3, PIK3CA, and HRAS. We hypothesize that hypoplasia may be due to a local mutation in the FGFR3 gene or increased androgen receptors in affected breast tissue. The patient was treated with CO₂ laser with good cosmetic outcome.

Epidermal nevus syndromes: New insights into whorls and swirls

Knowledge of the molecular underpinnings of many epidermal nevi and epidermal nevus syndrome has expanded rapidly in recent years. In this review and update on epidermal nevus syndrome, we will cover recent genetic discoveries involving epidermal nevi, including nevus sebaceus, keratinocytic epidermal nevus, nevus comedonicus, congenital hemidysplasia with ichthyosiform nevus and limb defects syndrome, phakomatosis pigmentokeratotica, Becker's nevus, porokeratotic adnexal ostial nevus, inflammatory linear verrucous epidermal nevi, and cutaneous-skeletal hypophosphatemia syndrome. We will discuss how newly defined mutations relate to the biology reflected in the cutaneous patterns seen in these mosaic disorders and how new molecular data has informed our understanding of these diseases and shaped management decisions.

Cutaneous/subcutaneous mesenchymal proliferations of the breast

Cutaneous mesenchymal "spindle cell" lesions arising in the vicinity of the breast represent a complex clinical and diagnostic scenario which may overlap histopathologically and immunohistochemically with mammary spindle cell proliferations, potentially impacting management and overall prognostication. In this review, we suggest a pattern-based approach to assist in the evaluation of these lesions. A comprehensive description of each entity is accompanied by a cutaneous and mammary differential diagnosis.

Becker's Nevus Syndrome in a Pediatric Female Patient

Becker's nevus syndrome is part of the epidermal nevus syndromes and has been described with a phenotype that includes Becker's nevus, ipsilateral breast hypoplasia, and variable skeletal malformations. It is more frequent in males than in females (5 : 1) but is more relevant in females. The diagnosis is clinically based and the skin lesion must be present and no other numbered criteria have been established, but with more criteria being present the possibility of the diagnosis is higher. Regarding the treatment of breast hypoplasia, the use of antiandrogen medication has demonstrated adequate clinical response in a dose of 50 mg/day of spironolactone.

Mosaic Neurocutaneous Disorders and Their Causes

Neurocutaneous disorders are a heterogeneous group of conditions (mainly) affecting the skin [with pigmentary/vascular abnormalities and/or cutaneous tumours] and the central and peripheral nervous system [with congenital abnormalities and/or tumours]. In a number of such disorders, the skin abnormalities can assume a mosaic patterning (usually arranged in archetypical patterns). Alternating segments of affected and unaffected skin or segmentally arranged patterns of abnormal skin often mirror similar phenomena occurring in extra-cutaneous organs/tissues [eg, eye, bone, heart/vessels, lung, kidney and gut]. In some neurocutaneous syndromes the abnormal mosaic patterning involve mainly the skin and the nervous system configuring a (true) mosaic neurocutaneous disorder; or an ordinary trait of a neurocutaneous disorder is sometimes superimposed by a pronounced linear or otherwise segmental involvement; or, lastly, a neurocutaneous disorder can occur solely in a mosaic pattern. Recently, the molecular genetic and cellular bases of an increasing number of neurocutaneous disorders have been unravelled, shedding light on the interplays between common intra- and extra-neuronal signalling pathways encompassing receptor-protein and protein-to-protein cascades (eg, RAS, MAPK, mTOR, PI3K/AKT and GNAQ pathways), which are often responsible of the mosaic distribution of cutaneous and extra-cutaneous features. In this article we will focus on the well known, and less defined mosaic neurocutaneous phenotypes and their related molecular/genetic bases, including the mosaic neurofibromatoses and their related forms (ie, spinal neurofibromatosis and schwannomatosis); Legius syndrome; segmental arrangements in tuberous sclerosis; Sturge-Weber and Klippel-Trenaunay syndromes; microcephaly/megalencephaly-capillary malformation; blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome; Wyburn-Mason syndrome; mixed vascular nevus syndrome; PHACE syndrome; Incontinentia pigmenti; pigmentary mosaicism of the Ito type; neurocutaneous melanosis; cutis tricolor; speckled lentiginous syndrome; epidermal nevus syndromes; Becker's nevus syndrome; phacomatosis pigmentovascularis and pigmentokeratotica; Proteus syndrome; and encephalocraniocutaneous lipomatosis.

Sebaceus and Becker's Nevus: Overview of Their Presentation, Pathogenesis, Associations, and Treatment

Nevus sebaceus (NS) and Becker's nevus (BN) are two variants of epidermal nevi. NS clinically presents as a yellowish-orange, hairless plaque on the scalp, face, or neck, while BN presents as a tan-to-brown hyperpigmented, sometimes hypertrichotic, plaque typically on the chest and shoulder. Histologically, NS displays mature or nearly mature sebaceus glands as well as acanthosis and fibroplasia of the papillary dermis. BN shows variable papillomatosis, acanthosis, and hyperkeratosis, with hyperpigmentation of the basal/suprabasal layer. While the genetic basis of NS is thought to be due to post-zygotic mutations in the Harvey rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (HRAS)/Kristen rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS) genes, the genetic basis of BN is relatively unknown and is implicated with paradominant inheritance. In some patients, NS and BN can each be associated with additional cutaneous and extra-cutaneous anomalies, ranging from benign or malignant tumors to multiple organ irregularities. Due to the wide range of possible associations, treatment for NS and BN is devised on a case-by-case basis. In this article, we review the features, etiology, and diagnosis/management of NS and BN, with a focus on associations. We also report a patient who concomitantly presents with both lesions.

Breast lipofilling: A new treatment of Becker nevus syndrome

INTRODUCTION

The association of Becker's nevus with other cutaneous, musculoskeletal or maxillofacial anomalies is called Becker nevus syndrome. Ipsilateral breast hypoplasia is the main reason for female patients to seek medical advice. We present two clinical cases of Becker nevus syndrome with thoracic nevus and ipsilateral breast hypoplasia treated with lipofilling alone (fat grafting).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

For the two consecutive cases of Becker nevus syndrome treated by fat grafts, we present the surgical technique and the outcome at one year follow-up. Fat was harvested with cannula after infiltration. The adipose tissue was prepared with a short centrifugation. Fat grafting was realized as backward injections.

RESULTS

We have noticed a concomitant improvement of the thoracic nevus color with a stable result after one-year follow-up. The aesthetic result after lipofilling was evaluated as very satisfying by the patient. The breast symmetry was improved.

CONCLUSIONS

We believe that the lipofilling technique is a natural and valuable treatment option for thoracic anomalies in Becker nevus syndrome with a major impact on patient's quality of life.

Epidermal nevus syndromes

The term epidermal nevus syndrome (ENS) has been used to describe the association of epidermal hamartomas and extracutaneous abnormalities. Although many continue to use the term "ENS," it is now understood that this is not one disease, but rather a heterogeneous group with distinct genetic profiles defined by a common cutaneous phenotype: the presence of epidermal and adnexal hamartomas that are associated with other organ system involvement. One commonality is that epidermal nevi often follow the lines of Blaschko and it appears the more widespread the cutaneous manifestations, the greater the risk for extracutaneous manifestations. The majority of the extracutaneous manifestations involve the brain, eye, and skeletal systems. The CNS involvement is wide ranging and involves both clinical manifestations such as intellectual disability and seizures, as well as structural anomalies. Several subsets of ENS with characteristic features have been delineated including the nevus sebaceus syndrome, Proteus syndrome, CHILD syndrome, Becker's nevus syndrome, nevus comedonicus syndrome, and phakomatosis pigmentokeratotica. Advances in molecular biology have revealed that the manifestations of ENS are due to genomic mosaicism. It is likely that the varied clinical manifestations of ENS are due in great part to the functional effects of specific genetic defects. Optimal management of the patient with ENS involves an interdisciplinary approach given the potential for multisystem involvement. Of note, epidermal nevi have been associated with both benign and malignant neoplasms, and thus ongoing clinical follow-up is required.

Hypertrichosis Is Not so Prevalent in Becker's Nevus: Analysis of 47 Cases

Becker's nevus is a relatively common cutaneous hamartoma, but is often overlooked or misdiagnosed. This nevus usually begins during the second decade of life as a circumscribed, hyperpigmented patch with irregular outline that gradually enlarges with associated hypertrichosis, developing several years later. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of lesional hypertrichosis associated with Becker's nevus. Methods. 47 patients who had sharply demarcated brown patch with or without coarse hair, presence or enlargement of the lesion at the time of puberty, and compatible Wood's light examination were enrolled. Patients who had axillary freckling, previous skin inflammation, and gray pigmentation of the lesions were excluded. Results. In summary, the mean age of onset was 11.89 (range 0–19). The most commonly involved site was the arm (34%), followed by shoulder (23.4%), chest, face, flank, buttock, and leg. Lesional hypertrichosis was found in only 8 (17%) of the 47 patients. In 29 cases (61.7%) the lesions were in the right side of the body. Conclusion. Hypertrichosis was not so frequent among patients with Becker's nevus. There was a higher preponderance of the lesions on the right side.

[Becker's nevus and hemimaxillary hypoplasia: coincidence or syndrome?]

INTRODUCTION

Becker's nevus is a dermatological disease sometimes associated with a malformation such as hemifacial bone dysplasia.

OBSERVATION

A 11-year-old male patient presented with a delayed growth of the left maxillary and dental impactions. At 15 years of age, Becker's nevus appeared on the upper torso, both shoulders and cheeks. Le Fort I segmented osteotomy with an iliac bone graft was complicated because of maxillary dysplasia.

DISCUSSION

The chronology of our patient's cutaneous and maxillary abnormalities was similar to previously reported cases. Conversely, the Becker's nevus-bone dysplasia association has been reported only twice. It may not be a coincidence and could belong to a Becker's nevus syndrome.

A 9-year-old boy with a hyper-pigmented patch on the right chest

CME EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES: 1.Understand the clinical presentation of a Becker nevus.2.Describe the differential diagnosis for Becker nevus.3.Be able to discuss the appropriate management for a Becker nevus. A 9-year-old healthy male presented to the dermatology clinic for evaluation of lesions on his chest. The lesions were unilateral and had been present for at least 1 year. No lesion had been previously noted in the affected area. No treatments had been tried prior to presentation. The patient denied pruritus or pain. Review of systems, medical history, and family history were unremarkable.

A Case of Becker's Nevus with Osteoma Cutis

Becker's nevus is a relatively common acquired focal epidermal melanotic hypermelanosis usually found in the region of the shoulder girdle of young men. Various skeletal malformations and cutaneous dermatoses have been reported in Becker's nevus. Osteoma cutis is a rare disorder characterized by compact bone formation in the dermis or subcutaneous tissue. Secondary ossification on nevi has been reported, but not with Becker's nevus. Herein, we report a case of Becker's nevus with accompanying osteoma cutis in an 18-year-old female.

Becker's nevus syndrome: case report

Becker's nevus is a hyperpigmented macula that is predominantly located on the anterior trunk or on the scapular region, frequently associated with hypertrichosis. The association of Becker's nevus with other cutaneous, musculoskeletal or maxillofacial anomalies has been called Becker's nevus syndrome. We report a case of a 16-year-old girl with a hyperpigmented macula which spread from her right anterolateral trunk to the inner part of her right thigh accompanied by ipsilateral mammary hypoplasia. The skin lesion started when the patient was seven years old when it was also noticed ipsilateral mammary hypoplasia. The histological exam confirmed the clinical hypothesis of Becker's nevus.

Diseases of the male nipple and areola

The male nipple-areola-complex (NAC) is a residual organ without physiologic functions in the male. It possesses similar hormone sensitivity and sexual sensitivity as the female organ. The location of the NAC on the chest wall with respect to other surface features is relevant for the male appearance. All known disseminated skin diseases may involve the nipple and areola. A number of specific localized diseases have been described in the literature, such as mammillary eczema, demodicidosis, lymphadenosis cutis benigna, nevoid hyperkeratosis, and thelalgia. Special attention is required if nipple discharge is observed. Areolar sebaceous hyperplasia and nearly all kinds of benign cutaneous tumors occur on the nipple and areola. Malignant tumors such as basal cell carcinoma, melanoma, Paget disease and other forms of breast cancer may also be found. In addition, aberrant mammary tissue may occur with a broad clinical spectrum, while absence of the nipple is an unusual observation and occurs in rare syndromes. The association of aberrant mammary tissue with urinary tract malformations has not been confirmed.

Do you know this syndrome? Becker nevus syndrome

Becker nevus syndrome is the association of Becker's nevus with breast hypoplasia and other ipsilateral bone or muscle changes. It is considered to be a hormone-dependent disorder caused by a disturbance in the activity of the androgen receptor that appears to be increased in Becker's nevus, which may influence the development of associated lesions. We present a relevant case of this syndrome due to the rare systematization of the lesions in addition to the exuberant extracutaneous involvement in this case.

Epidermal nevi

Nevi or nests of cells may be made up of a variety of cell types. The cell types that live in the epidermis include epidermal cells or keratinocytes, sebaceous glands, hair follicles, apocrine and eccrine glands, and smooth muscle cells. This article discusses epidermal or keratinocyte nevi, nevus sebaceous, nevus comedonicus, smooth muscle hamartomas, and inflammatory linear verrucous epidermal nevi. Syndromes associated with epidermal nevi are also reviewed.

Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome and spinal arteriovenous malformations: an erroneous association

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

KTS is a rare limb overgrowth disorder with slow-flow vascular anomalies. This study examines the presumed association between KTS and spinal AVMs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed a MEDLINE search of articles and reviewed textbooks of spinal diseases to study the association between KTS and spinal AVM. Our goal was to ascertain the basis on which the diagnosis of KTS was established and to evaluate the evidence of its association with spinal AVMs. In addition, the data base of the Vascular Anomalies Center at Children's Hospital Boston was queried for patients with KTS, and the association with spinal AVM was investigated.

RESULTS

Twenty-four published reports on spinal AVMs in 31 patients with KTS were reviewed. None of these references provided solid evidence of the diagnosis of KTS in any patient. Clinical data were either incompatible with the diagnosis of KTS or were inadequate to establish the diagnosis. Alternative possible diagnoses (CLOVES syndrome and CM-AVM) were suggested by the first author for 9 of the patients reported in these articles. The medical records of 208 patients with the diagnosis of KTS were analyzed; not a single patient had clinical or radiologic evidence of a spinal AVM.

CONCLUSIONS

An association between KTS and spinal AVM, as posited in numerous references, is most likely erroneous. The association has neither been reliably proved in the limited published literature nor encountered in a large cohort.

The group of epidermal nevus syndromes Part I. Well defined phenotypes

The epidermal nevus syndromes represent a group of distinct disorders that can be distinguished by the type of associated epidermal nevus and by the criterion of presence or absence of heritability. Well defined syndromes characterized by organoid epidermal nevi include Schimmelpenning syndrome, phacomatosis pigmentokeratotica, nevus comedonicus syndrome, angora hair nevus syndrome, and Becker nevus syndrome. The molecular basis of these disorders has so far not been identified. By contrast, the group of syndromes characterized by keratinocytic nevi comprises three phenotypes with a known molecular etiology in the form of CHILD (congenital hemidysplasia with ichthyosiform nevus and limb defects) syndrome, type 2 segmental Cowden disease, and fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 epidermal nevus syndrome (García-Hafner-Happle syndrome), whereas Proteus syndrome is still of unknown origin. From this overview, it is clear that a specific type of these disorders cannot be classified by the name "epidermal nevus syndrome" nor by the terms "organoid nevus syndrome" or "keratinocytic nevus syndrome."

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

After completing this learning activity, participants should be able to distinguish nine different epidermal nevus syndromes by their characteristic features, understand the practical significance of avoiding terms like "epidermal nevus syndrome" or "keratinocytic nevus syndrome" to define any specific entity within this group of disorders, and differentiate between nonhereditary traits and those bearing a genetic risk because of either Mendelian or non-Mendelian inheritance.

Androgen receptor overexpression in Becker nevus: histopathologic and immunohistochemical analysis

BACKGROUND

Becker nevus (BN) is a unilateral, hairy, pigmented cutaneous hamartoma that frequently appears in adolescence. Several features of BN suggest that increased androgen sensitivity plays a role in its pathogenesis. There have been only a few studies of histopathologic and immunohistochemical characteristics of BN, and the etiopathogenesis has not been fully established.

METHODS

Two-millimeter punch biopsies were taken from lesional and perilesional normal skin of 30 patients diagnosed as having BN. Fifteen skin samples each of lentigo and café au lait spots were used as controls. The sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin, Fontana-Masson, antibodies to NKI/beteb, MART-1 (Melanoma Antigen Recognized by T cells), S-100 protein and androgen receptor (AR).

RESULTS

Histopathologic features of BN showed frequent acanthosis, papillomatosis, keratotic plugging, irregular rete ridge elongation and flattening in the epidermis. Especially, the shape of the rete ridges in BN had a relatively characteristic appearance, which was the fusion of more than two adjacent rete ridges. Melanocyte counts were significantly increased in BN skin. The extent of AR expression was significantly higher in the epidermis of BN.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study indicates that there may be an association between AR and BN, but additional studies will be required to evaluate this further.

ILVEN-like persistent psoriasiform dermatitis confined to a congenital Becker nevus

A 10-year-old boy presented with a 5-year history of an intractably pruritic, recalcitrant psoriasiform plaque in a broad vertical band on the left buttock, with histologic as well as clinical features suggestive of an inflammatory linear verrucous epidermal nevus. This lesion was completely superimposed upon a congenital Becker nevus. We postulate that the restricted distribution and persistence of the psoriasiform plaque reflected an inflammatory response limited to the aberrant clone of cells composing the Becker nevus, a manifestation of cutaneous mosaicism that could be characterized as an "inflammatory Becker nevus."