Becker's melanosis and hypoplasia of the breast and pectoralis major muscle

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.

Breast and Pectoralis Muscle Hypoplasia

Purpose:

Poland's syndrome is a congenital and unilateral aplasia of the pectoralis major muscle (PMM), with other anomalies of the ipsilateral upper extremity. We present 6 cases in which the only clinical expression was asymmetry of the breasts associated with partial absence of the PMM.

Material and Methods:

We reviewed 95000 mammograms (obtained 1985–1995) to find patients with asymmetrical breast size. Where the asymmetry could not be ascribed to any other cause, the patients were recalled for an examination of the PMM which was conducted at rest and with active contraction of the muscle.

Results:

Unilateral volume reduction of the PMM was found in 5 women of whom 2 were studied with MR. A 6th case was a fortuitous finding in a male patient.

Conclusion:

Mild forms of Poland's syndrome are more frequent than severe forms, and may go undiagnosed. Hypoplasia of one breast or a horizontal anterior axillary fold may be the sole clinical manifestation of this syndrome.

Becker's Nevus Syndrome

Becker's nevus is a cutaneous hamartoma characterized by circumscribed hyperpigmentation with hypertrichosis. Becker's nevus syndrome is an association of Becker's nevus with unilateral breast hypoplasia and muscle, skin, and/or skeletal abnormalities. We here report a case of a 15 year-old female who presented with bilateral Becker's nevus over her groins, thighs, vulva, and in front of the neck from the age of 5 years. She had associated mental retardation, delayed development of mile stones, delayed puberty, dwarfism, depressed nasal bridge, long slender digits, crowding of lateral toes, valgus deformity of first metatarsophalangeal joint, mitral valve prolapse, muddy conjunctiva with hypertrophic and hyperpigmented caruncle of both eyes, ichthyosis, brownish hair, and absence of axillary and pubic hair. On histopathological examination collagen hamartoma underneath the Becker's nevus was found.

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.

Disorders of the female breast in the pediatric age group

SUMMARY

Disorders of the female breast in the pediatric age group are a relatively common finding; however, there is limited information in the current literature. The plastic surgeon treating these patients is faced with a wide range of reconstructive problems. By understanding the various breast disorders, the plastic surgeon can better diagnose and treat this patient population appropriately.

Giant bilateral becker nevus: a rare presentation

A 14-year-old boy had giant confluent brown patches that were bilaterally distributed on his back, chest, and upper arms, and partially covered by dark coarse hairs. A clinical diagnosis of Becker nevus was made and confirmed histopathologically. We report this patient for the rarity of presentation. Different clinical features of Becker nevi, associated findings, differential diagnoses, and treatment options are discussed.

Hypertrichosis

Hypertrichosis is hair growth that is abnormal for the age, sex, or race of an individual, or for a particular area of the body. Recognized forms of hypertrichosis are reviewed. Hirsutism, which is male-pattern hair growth in a female or child, is not included in this review. Hypertrichosis is categorized as congenital or acquired, and regional or generalized. Methods of managing hypertrichosis are also briefly reviewed

Becker's naevus of the thigh with lipoatrophy: report of two cases

Although Becker's naevus is most common in males, cases with associated lipoatrophy are more frequently reported in women. Two women are described in whom Becker's naevus of the thigh was associated with localized lipoatrophy. Neither had any bony abnormality or functional deficit.

Lymphangioma associated with Becker's nevus: a report of coincident hamartomas in a child

Lymphangiomas are hamartomas which often occur during childhood. Their classification is primarily size dependent and predicts their clinical course. Larger lesions can be life threatening, but for many patients with lymphangiomas, cosmetic disfigurement is the primary concern. Treatment options are limited and have shown only variable success. Repetitive surgical excision may be necessary. We report a cystic lymphangioma of the axilla occurring in association with a Becker's nevus in an infant. Although Becker's nevi have been described in association with other hamartomas, primarily those of smooth muscle, an association with cystic lymphangioma has not been previously reported. We offer a brief discussion of possible developmental mechanisms for their coexistence. In our patient the simultaneous occurrence of a lymphangioma and a Becker's nevus appears to be a localized event, as no other developmental abnormalities are evident.

Epidermal nevus syndromes

A clinical entity called "the epidermal nevus syndrome" does not exist. Rather, there are various epidermal nevus syndromes that can be distinguished by clinical, histopathological, and genetic criteria. In this review, five distinct epidermal nevus syndromes, recognizable by different types of associated epithelial nevi, are described. The Schimmelpenning syndrome is characterized by a sebaceous nevus associated with cerebral anomalies, coloboma, and lipodermoid of the conjunctiva. By contrast, cataracts are a prominent feature of the nevus comedonicus syndrome. The pigmented hairy epidermal nevus syndrome includes Becker nevus, ipsilateral hypoplasia of the breast, and skeletal defects such as scoliosis. In the Proteus syndrome, the associated epidermal nevus is of a flat, velvety, nonorganoid type. The CHILD syndrome occurs almost exclusively in girls. The associated CHILD nevus shows unique features such as a diffuse form of lateralization, ptychotropism, and microscopic changes of verruciform xanthoma. The five epidermal nevus syndromes differ in their genetic basis. The Schimmelpenning and nevus comedonicus syndromes are most likely nonhereditary traits. By contrast, the pigmented hairy epidermal nevus syndrome and the Proteus syndrome may be explained by paradominant inheritance. The CHILD syndrome is caused by an X-linked dominant mutation exerting a lethal effect on male embryos. A correct diagnosis of these phenotypes is important for both recognition and treatment of associated anomalies as well as for genetic counseling.