Ann Dermatol Venereol 2012 Dec;139 Suppl 4:S159-65

Department of Dermatology, INSERM U1065, Nice CHU, France.

Lasers are a very effective approach for treating many hyperpigmented lesions. They are the gold standard treatment for actinic lentigos and dermal hypermelanocytosis, such as Ota nevus. Becker nevus, hyperpigmented mosaicisms, and lentigines can also be successfully treated with lasers, but they could be less effective and relapses can be observed. Read More

Ann Dermatol Venereol 2012 Nov;139 Suppl 3:S108-14

Service de Dermatologie, INSERM U1065, CHU de Nice, France.

Lasers are a very effective approach for treating many hyperpigmented lesions. They are the gold standard treatment for actinic lentigos and dermal hypermelanocytosis, such as Ota nevus. Becker nevus, hyperpigmented mosaicisms, and lentigines can also be successfully treated with lasers, but they could be less effective and relapses can be observed. Read More

Dtsch Med Wochenschr 2012 Jan 18;137(4):142. Epub 2012 Jan 18.

Abteilung Psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie, Medizinische Universitätsklinik Tübingen, Germany.

History And Admission Findings: A 33-year-old female patient with chronic anorexia nervosa was admitted for inpatient psychosomatic treatment after a recent severe weight loss. In addition, an inflammatory bowel disease had been suspected in the past 4 years. The patient was convinced that the weight loss had purely organic reasons. Read More

An Bras Dermatol 2011 Jan-Feb;86(1):165-6

University of Mogi das Cruzes, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil.

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. Read More

Arch Dermatol 2010 Dec;146(12):1408-12

Department of Dermatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.

Background: Becker nevus is a nevoid melanosis, referred to as Becker nevus syndrome when it is associated with other anomalies. Our objectives were to report the occurrence of a Becker nevus with an underlying desmoid soft-tissue tumor; to review Mayo Clinic's experience with Becker nevi, concentrating on Becker nevi associated with bone, vascular, neural, and other soft-tissue abnormalities; to inform physicians of the Becker nevus syndrome; and finally to alert clinicians to evaluate a Becker nevus with its associations in mind.

Observations: A 46-year-old woman had a Becker nevus with an underlying desmoid-type fibromatosis (desmoid tumor) presenting clinically as a "painful dimple" within the nevus. Read More

Dermatol Online J 2009 Dec 15;15(12). Epub 2009 Dec 15.

Department of Dermatology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.

Becker melanosis, also known as Becker nevus, is a relatively common cutaneous hamartoma. The condition is classically characterized by a unilateral, hyperpigmented patch with varying degrees of hypertrichosis on a peripubertal individual. As Becker nevi are generally singular in a given individual, there are very few reported cases of multiple or bilateral lesions. Read More

Pediatr Dermatol 2008 Jan-Feb;25(1):47-51

Center for Research and Training in Skin Diseases and Leprosy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

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. Read More

Eur J Dermatol 2002 Nov-Dec;12(6):588

Department of Medicine, Dermatology Unit, King Faisal Hospital, Taif, Saudi Arabia.

Ann Plast Surg 1998 Nov;41(5):555-65

Laserklinik, Karlsruhe, Germany.

The Q-switched ruby laser (694 nm, 25-40 nsec) is an effective and safe therapeutic device for the treatment of tattoos and well-defined, benign, pigmented epidermal and dermal lesions. Because of its selective mode of action, dermal pigments of natural and artificial origin are destroyed photothermically and removed without scar. This method is exceptionally suited for the elimination of lay and professional tattoos, traumatic tattoos, and permanent makeup. Read More

Pediatr Dermatol 1998 Jul-Aug;15(4):290-2

Dermatology Department, Hospital do Desterro, Hospitais Civis de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.

We report a 4-year-old Caucasian girl with congenital skin lesions consisting of hyperpigmented macules that were bilateral and roughly symmetrical, covered with terminal hair and located on the scapular regions, shoulders, and arms. A cutaneous biopsy specimen showed the histologic pattern of Becker nevus. We discuss the classification of this case in the context of the published literature. Read More

Hautarzt 1997 Jul;48(7):462-70

Dermatologische Klinik und Poliklinik, Universität Regensburg.

The Q-switched ruby laser (QSRL) with its wavelength of 694 nm and a pulse duration of around 40 nsec is an effective modality for the removal of tattoos and cutaneous pigmented lesions. Based on the principle of selective photothermolysis, selective damage to cutaneous pigment or pigmented cells is possible, allowing the scar-free elimination of endogenous or exogenous pigment in the skin. Main indications for the treatment with the QSRL are tattoos (amateur, professional, accidental, or cosmetic) and lentigines but the QSRL can also be used for lightening or even removing other pigmented lesions such as nevus spilus or café au lait macules. Read More

Acta Derm Venereol 1997 Mar;77(2):135-6

Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Maastricht, The Netherlands.

Melanosis naeviformis of Becker (MNB) can be associated with hypoplasia of soft tissue or extremities, spina bifida and scoliosis of the vertebral column. We have investigated 50 patients (42 men, 8 women) with MNB radiologically. Scoliosis was diagnosed in 13 patients (26%). Read More

Bol Med Hosp Infant Mex 1992 Nov;49(11):762-5

División de Pediatría y Dermatología, Hospital General Dr. Manuel Gea González, México, D.F.

Becker melanosis is a dermatosis characterized by hyperpigmentation and hypertrichosis in absence of cells nevus; its frequency is unknown an its presentation is rare in the infancy; appearance usually during puberty. In the last years its association to anomalies of development increase the importance of this entity. We present the case of 4 years old girl considered the youngest report in the literature, with affection of trunk and right leg associated to minimum shorten of right leg. Read More

Schweiz Rundsch Med Prax 1990 Mar;79(12):349-50

Dermatologische Universitätsklinik, Kantonsspital, Basel.

Med Cutan Ibero Lat Am 1988 ;16(2):145-8

Clinique des Maladies Cutanées, Hospital Saint-Louis, Paris, France.

Theoretically, Becker's melanosis or hairy epidermal nevus and smooth muscle hamartoma are two quite separate entities. In fact, there are cases which could be considered as intermediate. As a matter of fact, a slight underlying smooth muscle hyperplasia can be seen in Becker's nevus; on the other hand, hypermelanosis of the basal layer and hypertrichosis may be encountered in smooth muscle hamartoma. Read More

Orv Hetil 1985 Nov;126(46):2841-3

J Neurosurg 1981 Jan;54(1):108-12

A case is reported of aggressive cellular blue nevus of the scalp. Intracranial pigmentation in association with a melanocytic nevus of the scalp may indicate either benign coexisting melanosis, local extension, or invasive malignancy. The importance of accurate diagnosis is discussed, and the need to be prepared to carry the excision deep enough to include the dura is illustrated. Read More

Dermatol Monatsschr 1979 Mar;165(3):186-90

J Cutan Pathol 1979 Feb;6(1):53-8

Histological investigations were performed in 11 subjects suffering from melanosis naeviformis Becker. Apart from the well-known epidermal alterations such as basal hyperpigmentation, slight acanthosis and growth of coarse hair, dermal changes were found in each case. The dermis was considerably thickened and contained numerous small and/or large bundles of smooth muscle without relation to cutaneous adnexa. Read More

Arch Otolaryngol 1978 Jun;104(6):352-6

Lentigo maligna is the preinvasive stage of lentigo maligna melanom, which is a specific type of cutaneous malignant melanom found almost exclusively in the head and neck area. The distinguishing features and the biological behavior of this disease are discussed. Emphasis is placed on early diagnosis by clinical differentiation from other pigmented lesions and by biopsy specimen. Read More

Cesk Dermatol 1977 Mar;52(2):115-20

Langenbecks Arch Chir 1975 Nov;340(2):137-46

Between 1959 and 1974 we observed 18 patients with familial intestinal polyposis. 4 patients were from one family. Two brothers refused the operation and died 7 respectively 8 years after diagnosis had been made. Read More

Acta Derm Venereol 1975 ;55(2):141-5

A healthy 14-year-old Norwegian male developed a typical Becker's naevus on the left shoulder and upper scapular region, about six months after an intracutaneous BCG-vaccination in the homolateral junction of the shoulder and upper arm. The evolution of the lesion had been modified by exposure to sunlight during the following six years, with partial fading of the hyperpigmentation. Biopsies taken from the centre and from the edge of the lesion at the age of 19 years showed the usual histological picture seen in cases of Becker's naevus, but focal areas within the periphery showed a chronic granulomatous infiltrate of lupoid pattern in the dermis, mainly follicular and perifollicular in distribution. Read More

Arch Intern Med 1974 Aug;134(2):365-7

Leber Magen Darm 1973 Oct;3(5):213-8

Dtsch Med Wochenschr 1971 May;96(19):815-7 passim

Arch Dermatol 1965 Feb;91:100-19

Calif Med 1958 Mar;88(3):228-33

Benign melanocytic lesions include lentigo, ephelid (freckle), pigmented nevus, sacral spot, blue nevus, and combined nevus and blue nevus. Malignant melanocytic lesions are melanomas, which arise from melanocytes at the epidermodermal junction, or, rarely, from blue nevi. They usually originate in brown plaques known as lentigo maligna, in pigmented nevi, or in normal skin. Read More

Arch Derm Syphilol 1949 Aug;60(2):155-60