Additional conjunctival and penile pigmentation in Laugier-Hunziker syndrome: a report of two cases

Laugier–Hunziker Syndrome in an 8-Year-Old Boy with Scleral Melanocytosis, Lingual Pigmentation, Labial Pigmentation, and Melanonychia Striata

Laugier–Hunziker syndrome is a rare, acquired disorder characterized by mucocutaneous hyperpigmentation and melanonychia striata with no underlying systemic abnormalities. We report an 8-year-old boy with Laugier–Hunziker syndrome who presented with melanonychia striata affecting all the fingernails and toenails, macular pigmentation on the tongue and the lower lip, and scleral melanocytosis. Melanonychia striata rarely affect all the twenty nails, and scleral melanocytosis has rarely been reported in association with Laugier–Hunziker syndrome. Laugier–Hunziker syndrome occurs predominately in adults. Our patient is the youngest reported patient with Laugier–Hunziker syndrome.

Mystery behind labial and oral melanotic macules: Clinical, dermoscopic and pathological aspects of Laugier-Hunziker syndrome

Labial and oral melanotic macules are commonly encountered in a broad range of conditions ranging from physiologic pigmentation to a sign of an underlying life-threatening disease. Although Laugier-Hunziker syndrome (LHS) shares some features of labial and oral pigmentation with a variety of conditions, it is a benign and acquired condition, frequently associated with longitudinal melanonychia. Herein, the demographic, clinical, dermoscopic, and pathological aspects of LHS were reviewed comprehensively. The important differential diagnoses of mucocutaneous and nail pigmentation are provided. An accurate diagnosis is crucial to design a reasonable medical strategy, including management options, malignant transformation surveillance, and psychological support. It is important that clinicians conduct long-term follow-up and surveillance due to the potential risks of malignant transformation and local severe complications in some conditions.

Laugier-Hunziker syndrome: case report and review of the literature

Laugier-Hunziker syndrome is a rare acquired disorder characterized by diffuse pigmented macules of the oral mucosa. Other mucosal and cutaneous surfaces may be affected, and nail involvement is frequent. A case of Laugier-Hunziker syndrome in a Greek female with multiple buccal and labial mucosal lesions and unusual conjunctival involvement is presented here. In addition, a thorough review of the English language literature of this rather under-recognized syndrome is included and the main differential diagnostic possibilities are discussed.

Laugier-Hunziker syndrome

Laugier-Hunziker syndrome is a rare acquired disorder characterized by diffuse hyperpigmentation of the oral mucosa and longitudinal melanonychia in adults. They appear as macular lesions less than 5 mm in diameter. Laugier-Hunziker syndrome is considered to be a benign disease with no systemic manifestation or malignant potential. Therefore, it is important to rule out other mucocutaneous pigmentary disorders that do require medical management. Prompt clinical recognition also averts the need for excessive and invasive procedures and treatments. In India, the reported cases of this syndrome are very few. We provide a review of literature on Laugier-Hunziker syndrome with its differential diagnosis.

Do you know this syndrome?

Laugier-Hunziker syndrome is an acquired macular hyperpigmentation of the oral and genital mucosa, often associated with longitudinal melanonychia. We report a case of longitudinal melanonychia on fingernails and toenails, hutchinson's signal and lenticular pigmentation of her lips and oral mucosa. Histopathological analysis is typical and had a broad differential diagnosis. This is a rare and benign entity, which should be included in the differential diagnosis of mucocutaneous hyperpigmentation.

[Pigmented lesions of the genital mucosa]

Pigmented lesions of the genital mucosa are more frequent in women than in men. They represent a spectrum of different benign entities. A biopsy is always recommended when the diagnosis cannot be made with certainty on clinical examination and dermatoscopy. Differential diagnostic considerations include melanocytic nevi, blue nevi and syndromes featuring lentigines. Malignant melanomas of the penis and vulva are uncommon tumors which usually appear in elderly patients. They frequently present as painless palpable nodules at routine examination. The treatment consists of excision with histological control of the margins. An aggressive surgical approach has not been shown to prolong the poor 5-year survival. Cooperation with gynecologists and urologists is essential for the optimal management of such patients.