Laugier-Hunziker syndrome is a harmless rare sporadic disorder that is characterised by flat brown marks on the lips and inside the mouth, and frequently brown stripes on the nails. It is important to distinguish it from Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, which has similar cutaneous features but also has associated gastrointestinal polyps.
Peutz-Jegher syndrome is due to mutation of the SKT11 gene. The cause of Laugier-Hunziker syndrome is unknown. It does not appear to run in families, although there has been one reported case involving a mother and two daughters with the condition. The syndrome occurs in early- to mid-adult life and affects both males and females.
The main clinical feature of Laugier-Hunziker syndrome is the appearance of pigmentation (dark spots) on the buccal mucosa (inner lining of the cheeks) and the lips (usually the lower lip). Sometimes pigmentation is also found on the gingiva (gums), tongue, and roof of the mouth. Features of the lesions are:
Oral hyperpigmentation may be accompanied by nail and/or skin pigmentation. Oral and nail involvement is found in about 60% of cases. Nail pigmentation is permanent and appears in the following ways:
Skin hyperpigmentation is sometimes found on the neck, abdomen, fingers, palms, soles and genital region.
See more images of Laugier-Hunziker syndrome
No treatment is required for Laugier-Hunziker syndrome. Laugier-Hunziker has no association with systemic diseases so there are few if any complications. If systemic symptoms are apparent a patient must be worked-up for another diagnosis.
Cosmetically disfiguring or bothersome lesions may be treated with laser therapy.
