F1000Res 2018 6;7:284. Epub 2018 Mar 6.

Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, King Faisal University, Hofuf, Saudi Arabia.

Dermoscopy, a non-invasive technique for cutaneous diagnosis is being increasingly studied in various disorders of the skin, nails and scalp. However, it has been under-utilized for the diagnosis and characterization of mucosal disorders. The dermoscopic characterization of cutaneous lichen planus and its variants has been well documented with Wickham's striae constituting the hallmark of the condition. Read More

Head Neck Pathol 2018 Feb 15. Epub 2018 Feb 15.

Department of Oral Diagnostic Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, 355 Squire Hall, 3435 Main Street, Buffalo, NY, 14214-3008, USA.

Laugier-Hunziker syndrome (LHS, also termed idiopathic lenticular mucocutaneous hyperpigmentation) is an unusual condition characterized by progressive pigmentation of the mucous membranes. LHS displays a benign course and is not associated with malignancy. Here we present a case of LHS with a 7-year follow-up. Read More

J Stomatol Oral Maxillofac Surg 2018 Apr 12;119(2):158-160. Epub 2017 Dec 12.

Department of Oral Medicine, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, 210008 Nanjing, China. Electronic address:

Laugier-Hunziker syndrome (LHS) is a rare, benign, acquired pigmentary condition mainly affecting lips, oral mucosa and acral area, frequently associated with longitudinal melanonychia. Herein, we reported a 45-year-old female case with LHS. The clinical, dermoscopic, histopathologic features of LHS were reviewed and the important differential diagnosis was discussed. Read More

Cutis 2017 09;100(3):E17-E19

Department of Dermatology, United States Naval Hospital, Yokosuka, Japan.

J Photochem Photobiol B 2017 Aug 15;173:353-359. Epub 2017 Jun 15.

Division of General Dentistry, Eastman Institute for Oral Health, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States.

Background: Oral pigmentation, especially in the gingiva poses esthetic problems. Laser therapy has been widely used for cosmetic therapy in dentistry. The aim of the present study was to systematically review the efficacy of surgical laser therapy (SLT) in the management of oral pigmented lesions (OPL). Read More

Singapore Med J 2017 05;58(5):281

Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, John Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA.

Dermatol Pract Concept 2017 Apr 30;7(2):27-30. Epub 2017 Apr 30.

Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich Switzerland.

Laugier-Hunziker syndrome (LHS) is a rare condition characterized by acquired hyperpigmentation involving the lips, oral mucosa, acral surfaces, nails and perineum. While patients with LHS may manifest pigmentation in all of the aforementioned areas, most present with pigmentation localized to only a few of these anatomical sites. We herein report a patient exhibiting the characteristic pigment distribution pattern associated with LHS. Read More

Indian Dermatol Online J 2017 Mar-Apr;8(2):148-150

Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.

Clin Genet 2016 Oct 3;90(4):372-7. Epub 2016 Feb 3.

Department of Dermatology, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.

Pathogenic mutations in genes (SASH1 and PTPN11) can cause a rare genetic disorder associated with pigmentation defects and the well-known LEOPARD syndrome, respectively. Both conditions presented with lentiginous phenotypes. The aim of this study was to arrive at definite diagnoses of three Chinese boys with clinically suspected lentigines-related syndromes. Read More

Rev Med Chil 2016 May;144(5):671-4

Laugier-Hunziker syndrome is a rare benign idiopathic condition characterized by acquired macular pigmentation of lips and buccal mucosa, often accompanied with melanonychia. The main concern with this condition is to rule out other differential diagnosis with systemic repercussions and similar hyperpigmentation patterns, such as Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, adrenal insufficiency and melanoma. We report a 58-year-old female with a 20-year history of Sjögren’s syndrome, presenting with melanonychia and hyperpigmentation in the buccal mucosa. Read More

Indian J Dermatol 2016 May-Jun;61(3):338-9

Department of Dermatology, Katihar Medical College, Katihar, Bihar, India.

Dermatol Pract Concept 2016 Jan 31;6(1):23-4. Epub 2016 Jan 31.

Department of Pathology, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey.

Australas J Dermatol 2017 May 14;58(2):135-138. Epub 2016 Jan 14.

Royal Melbourne Hospital, Familial Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS) is a rare, autosomal dominant condition characterised by mucocutaneous pigmented lesions, gastrointestinal polyposis and a significant risk of cancer. Laugier-Hunziker syndrome (LHS) is a benign condition with similar dermatological features, but with no systemic complications. STK 11 gene testing allows clinicians to differentiate between these two disorders. Read More

Clin Exp Dermatol 2016 Apr 28;41(3):294-6. Epub 2015 Oct 28.

Department of Dermatology, Singleton Hospital, Swansea, UK.

Laugier-Hunziker syndrome (LHS) is a rare acquired disorder characterized by macu-lar pigmentation of the lips and oral mucosa, with frequent longitudinal melanonychia. Involvement of other areas, such as the genitalia and fingers, has rarely been described. LHS is a benign condition with no known systemic manifestations. Read More

An Bras Dermatol 2015 May-Jun;90(3 Suppl 1):223-5

Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, RS.

Laugier-Hunziker syndrome is a rare, acquired disorder characterized by lenticular hyperpigmentation of the oral mucosa and longitudinal melanonychia. We present the case of a 63-year-old female with progressive, asymptomatic hyperpigmentation of buccal mucosa and a 7-year history of hyperpigmentation in several fingernails. Laugier-Hunziker syndrome was diagnosed based on the clinical features presented, dermoscopic findings and exclusion of underlying systemic diseases. Read More

Proc (Bayl Univ Med Cent) 2015 Jan;28(1):41-2

Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine and Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas.

We describe a 46-year-old Hispanic woman who was incidentally found to have hyperpigmentation of the oral mucosa and nails during a routine full body skin examination. The patient reported having these changes for years with no symptoms. A diagnosis of the Laugier-Hunziker syndrome (LHS) was made. Read More

Pan Afr Med J 2015 24;22:291. Epub 2015 Nov 24.

Service de Dermatologie et Vénérologie, CHU Ibn Sina, Université Mohammed V, Rabat Maroc.

Case Rep Dent 2013 3;2013:561040. Epub 2013 Dec 3.

Department of Oral Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Istanbul University, 34093 Istanbul, Turkey.

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. Read More

Eur J Dermatol 2013 Apr;23(2):284-5

Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol 2013 Jul 2;116(1):e52-8. Epub 2013 Apr 2.

Department of Oral Pathology and Medicine, Dental School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.

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. Read More

Actas Dermosifiliogr 2013 Mar 21;104(2):173-4. Epub 2012 Dec 21.

Actas Dermosifiliogr 2013 Mar 20;104(2):174. Epub 2012 Dec 20.

Int J Oral Sci 2012 Dec 23;4(4):226-30. Epub 2012 Nov 23.

Department of Oral Medicine, Institute and Hospital of Stomatology, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China.

Laugier-Hunziker syndrome (LHS) is an acquired pigmentary condition affecting lips, oral mucosa and acral area, frequently associated with longitudinal melanonychia. There is neither malignant predisposition nor underlying systemic abnormality associated with LHS. Herein, we present three uncommon cases of LHS with possibly new feature of nail pigmentation, which were diagnosed during the past 2 years. Read More

Case Rep Dermatol 2012 May 16;4(2):174-6. Epub 2012 Aug 16.

Department of Dermatology, Hietzing Municipal Hospital, Vienna, Austria.

Laugier-Hunziker syndrome is a rare acquired disorder characterized by macular hyperpigmentation of the oral and occasionally genital mucosa as well as longitudinal melanonychia. It is considered a benign condition without systemic manifestation or malignant potential. We report on a woman who concomitantly developed Laugier-Hunziker syndrome and a carcinoma of the pancreas. Read More

J Oral Maxillofac Pathol 2012 May;16(2):245-50

Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Maratha Mandal's NG Halgekar Institute of Dental Sciences and Research Centre, Belgaum, Karnataka, India.

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. Read More

Cutis 2011 Nov;88(5):235-6

Wake Forest Baptist Health, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA.

Laugier-Hunziker syndrome is a rare mucocutaneous pigmentary disorder. It is considered benign, but other mucocutaneous pigmentation disorders are in the differential diagnosis and should be ruled out. This report describes a woman with pigmentation of the labial mucosa of the lower lip who was successfully treated with a Q-switched 532-nm laser. Read More

CMAJ 2011 Sep 8;183(12):1402. Epub 2011 Aug 8.

Department of Dermatology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.

Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 2011 Jul-Aug;77(4):536

J Cutan Aesthet Surg 2011 Jan;4(1):58-60

Carolena Skin, Laser & Research Centre, Jalandhar, Punjab, India.

Laugier-Hunziker syndrome (LHS) is an acquired, benign pigmentary skin condition involving oral cavity including lower lip in the form of brown black macules 1-5 mm in size, frequently associated with longitudinal melanonychia. There is no underlying systemic abnormality or malignant predisposition associated with LHS, and therefore the prognosis is good. Important differential diagnoses include Peutz Jeghers syndrome and Addison's disease among other causes of oral and acral pigmentation. Read More

Dermatol Online J 2010 Dec 15;16(12). Epub 2010 Dec 15.

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

Laugier-Hunziker syndrome (LHS) is a rare acquired disorder characterized by diffuse macular hyperpigmentation of the oral mucosa and, at times, longitudinal melanonychia. Although LHS is considered a benign disease with no systemic manifestations or malignant potential, 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. Read More

J Dermatol 2011 Jan 23;38(1):87-90. Epub 2010 Nov 23.

Dermatol Online J 2010 Nov 15;16(11):23. Epub 2010 Nov 15.

Department of Dermatology, New York University, New York, NY, USA.

Laugier Hunziker syndrome is a rare disorder that is characterized by adult-onset hyperpigmented macules of the lips, oral cavity, and fingertips. Longitudinal melanonychia is present in the majority of cases. We present a 45-year-old woman with adult-onset hyperpigmented macules of the oral cavity as well as linear melanonychia that involved multiple fingernails. Read More

An Bras Dermatol 2010 Sep-Oct;85(5):751-3

Hospital Universitário Getúlio Vargas, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Manaus, AM, Brasil.

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. Read More

J Dermatol 2010 Nov;37(11):980-4

Department of Dermatology, Universitary Hospital La Paz, Madrid, Spain.

Laugier-Hunziker syndrome (LHS) is an acquired, benign, macular hyperpigmentation of the lips and oral mucosa, often associated with pigmentation of the nails. Volar acral maculae on the palms and fingertips of patients affected by LHS are a typical feature of this rare entity. Dermoscopic examination of these maculae has been described in a previous report, in which authors found a parallel-furrow pattern. Read More

Int J Dent 2010 7;2010:525404. Epub 2010 Jul 7.

Department of Oral Science, University of Bologna, Via San Vitale 59, 40125 Bologna, Italy.

Laugier-Hunziker syndrome is a rare benign condition characterized by diffuse oral hyperpigmentation associated with pigmentation of the nails. The syndrome must be included in the differential diagnosis of diffuse oral pigmentation to exclude other conditions with systemic implications. We describe a 43-year-old white woman with the clinical and histological features of Laugier-Hunziker syndrome associated with toenail pigmentation. Read More

Arch Dermatol Res 2010 Mar 11;302(2):125-30. Epub 2009 Dec 11.

Department of Dermatology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.

Laugier-Hunziker syndrome (LHS), a rare, acquired pigmentary disorder of the lips, oral mucosa, and fingers, is known to be an entirely benign disease with no systemic manifestations. In the past, the pigmentation has been treated efficiently in a few patients with the Q-switched neodymium: yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser and the Q-switched alexandrite laser (QSAL). In order to evaluate the efficacy and safety of QSAL on Chinese patients of LHS, we treated 22 patients with QSAL in the past 5 years. Read More

Dermatol Surg 2010 4;36(1):152-4. Epub 2009 Nov 4.

Department of Dermatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, Osaka, Japan.

J Dermatol 2008 Dec;35(12):806-7

J Am Acad Dermatol 2008 Nov;59(5 Suppl):S105-8

Department of Dermatology, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania.

We report mucosal melanoma of the upper lip in a patient affected by the Laugier-Hunziker disease. Using dermatoscopy, two distinct parts were identified in the same mucosal area: nodular (malignant) and macular (benign). A complete surgical excision was performed and the patient has been free of disease for 16 months. Read More

Am J Dermatopathol 2008 Dec;30(6):612-9

Division of Dermatology, Albany Medical College MC-81, 47 New Scotland Avenue, Albany, NY 12208, USA.

Volar melanotic macules are asymptomatic, tan-brown to brownish-black macules found on the palms, fingers, soles, and/or toes of dark-skinned individuals and are infrequently reported in light-skinned individuals. Herein, we report the acquisition of multiple, brownish-black volar digital macules in a 63-year-old white woman and avid gardener that were noted after the onset of pruritic, chronic hand dermatitis over a 10-month period. She was healthy without any medical conditions or medications. Read More

Ann Dermatol 2008 Sep 30;20(3):126-9. Epub 2008 Sep 30.

Department of Dermatology, Our Lady of Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Incheon, Korea.

Laugier-Hunziker syndrome is a rare idiopathic acquired hyperpigmentation of oral mucosa and lips which is often associated with longitudinal melanonychia. This condition is known to be an entirely benign disease with no systemic manifestations. Herein we report a case of a 54-year-old woman presenting with a 7-year history of asymptomatic oral pigmentation and linear pigmented streaks of several fingernails. Read More

J Cutan Med Surg 2008 Jul-Aug;12(4):194-7

Dermatology Service and Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.

Background: Longitudinal melanonychia (LM) is characterized by the appearance of a longitudinal pigmented band in the nail plate. Melanonychia can occur from many causes, including racial predisposition, trauma, drugs, pregnancy, Addison disease, Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, Laugier-Hunziker syndrome, Bowen disease, onychomycosis, benign nail matrix nevi, and melanoma.

Objective: We present a case of diffuse melanonychia developing several months following Mohs surgery for a human papillomavirus-induced recurrent squamous cell carcinoma in situ of the nail bed. Read More

Int J Dermatol 2008 Jun;47(6):596-8

Department of Dermatology, Countess of Chester Hospital, and the Division of Cardiovascular and Endocrine Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.

Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2008 Aug 9;106(2):e20-5. Epub 2008 May 9.

Department of Dentistry and Oral Surgery, School of Medicine, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan.

Objective: Laugier-Hunziker-Baran syndrome represents a rare acquired pigmentary disorder which has no relevance to internal disorders and has no familial association. There are few reports on histopathologic studies of this syndrome concerning Japanese individuals. The differential diagnosis of oral and pigmented lesions between Laugier-Hunziker-Baran syndrome and other disorders, Peutz-Jeghers syndrome in particular, requires our utmost consideration. Read More

Clin Exp Dermatol 2007 Sep;32(5):584-5

Arch Dermatol 2007 May;143(5):631-3

Department of Dermatology, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey.

Background: Laugier-Hunziker syndrome (LHS) is a rare, acquired mucocutaneous hyperpigmentation often associated with longitudinal melanonychia. The clinical behavior of mucocutaneous pigmented lesions ranges from benign to highly malignant. Therefore, in most cases, the clinical diagnosis should be confirmed by further diagnostic methods. Read More

Indian Pediatr 2006 Nov;43(11):998-1000

Department of Dermatology, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi 110 002, India.

Laugier-Hunziker syndrome is characterized by idiopathic mucocutaneous pigmentation that may be associated with longitudinal melanonychia. The significance of this condition is due to its inclusion in differential diagnoses of pigmentary disorders of the oral mucosa, especially Peutz-Jeghers syndrome. Read More

Dermatol Surg 2005 Jun;31(6):709-12

Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, Osaka, Japan.

Background: Laugier-Hunziker (LH) syndrome is a rare benign condition in which hyperpigmentation of the lips and buccal mucosa occurs with no systemic associations.

Objective: We report the response to treatment with the Q-switched alexandrite laser (QSAL) because there are few reports on therapy for LH syndrome.

Methods: The QSAL was used for pigmentation of the lips in a 63-year-old woman with LH syndrome. Read More

Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2006 Aug 16;44(4):320-1. Epub 2005 Jun 16.

Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Poole General Hospital, Longfleet Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 2JB, UK.

An 80-year-old white woman presented with brown pigmentation on both sides of the buccal mucosa and lower lip and patchy freckling in her nails, which was diagnosed as Laugier-Hunziker syndrome. Read More

East Afr Med J 2004 Oct;81(10):544-5

Department of Dermatology Faculty of Medicine, University of Mustafa Kemal, Hatay, Turkey.

Laugier-Hunziker syndrome is a rare, acquired, benign hyperpigmentation of the lips, oral mucosa and nails. Although it is a benign disorder, other pigmentary disorders affecting the oral mucosa and nails must be considered in the different diagnosis. We presented a case of Laugier-Hunziker syndrome, showed clinical and histopathologic features of the disease. Read More