Longitudinal Melanotic Streaks as a Clue to Laugier-Hunziker Syndrome

Abstract

In 1970, Laugier and Hunziker¹ reported five cases of essential melanotic pigmentation of the mouth and the lips. Two of these patients also displayed pigmentary changes in the nails. Sartoris et al² reported two cases with a nail anomaly in one, and in 1977, Laugier et al³ also described another patient with pigmented nails. We have encountered Laugier-Hunziker syndrome in nine patients, five of whom had nail involvement. Nine patients (six women and three men) between 30 and 55 years of age consulted me for the presence of pigmented spots on the mucous membranes of the lower lip of up to five years' duration (Fig 1). In four patients, examination of the oral cavity revealed involvement of the buccal mucosa as well. In four patients, further examination of the nails revealed pigmentation of the fingernails, involving one finger only in one patient and three to six in the