Refractory Pigmentation Associated with Laugier-Hunziker Syndrome following Er:YAG Laser Treatment

Sertan Ergun,Ilay Maden,Alp Saruhanoğlu,Dante-Antonio Migliari,Hakkı Tanyeri

doi:10.1155/2013/561040

Sertan Ergun, Ilay Maden + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/561040

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Abstract

The present report describes a case of Laugier-Hunziker syndrome (LHS), a rare benign condition. A patient with LHS develops acquired melanotic pigmentation of the lips and buccal mucosa, often with pigmentation of the nails occurring. No systemic symptoms are associated with this syndrome. Normally, no treatment is required for this condition, unless for aesthetic reason, mainly due to pigmentation on the lip mucosa. We present a case of LHS, 37-year-old female, whose pigmentations on her lip and in the oral cavity were treated with an Er:YAG laser. At the postoperative 12th month followup, the lesions recurred. The effects of any surgical attempt to treat pigmentations associated with LHS were discussed.

Highlights

The Laugier-Hunziker syndrome (LHS) is a rare benign condition, characterized by acquired pigmentation of the nails and melanotic pigmentation of the parts of the oral cavity such as lips, buccal, and palatal mucosa, [1]
Histopathological examination of oral pigmentation associated with LHS is not a diagnosis in itself; it only shows a significant increase in melanin or melanocytes in the basal layer
We present a case of LHS treated with Er:YAG laser to remove the oral pigmentations which were cleared after four sessions but recurred twelve months later

Summary

Introduction

The Laugier-Hunziker syndrome (LHS) is a rare benign condition, characterized by acquired pigmentation of the nails and melanotic pigmentation of the parts of the oral cavity such as lips, buccal, and palatal mucosa, [1]. Lip lesions and mucosa present as multiple, flat, smooth, discrete or confluent pigmented macules of variable size and color, ranging from grey to brown or blue-black [2]. Focal lesions may be more worrying, and require an examination of a biopsy specimen for an accurate diagnosis and, mainly, for excluding melanoma. Histopathological examination of oral pigmentation associated with LHS is not a diagnosis in itself; it only shows a significant increase in melanin or melanocytes in the basal layer. Diagnosis of LHS should be made on a clinical basis, by excluding other similar disorders such as Peutz-Jeghers syndrome and adrenal insufficiency [3]. We present a case of LHS treated with Er:YAG laser to remove the oral pigmentations which were cleared after four sessions but recurred twelve months later

Case Report

Discussion