Linear Nevoid Hypertrichosis Without Underlying Hypopigmentation or Extracutaneous Abnormalities

Abstract

An 8-year-old Caucasian girl presented with a linear patch of excessive hair growth involving her left posterolateral leg without any underlying hypopigmentation or associated abnormalities. This is an unusual presentation given that the literature describing nevoid hypertrichosis in a linear distribution is associated with either underlying skin or hair hypopigmentation or other extracutaneous manifestations.

Diseases of cutaneous appendages

“…It is usually solitary. 1198 Nevoid hypertrichosis has been successfully treated with the alexandrite laser. 1198 Nevoid hypertrichosis has been successfully treated with the alexandrite laser.…”

Nevoid hypertrichosis: Case report with review of the literature

“…The skin lesions are usually present at or soon after birth and are typically solitary, though cases of multiple patches developing after puberty have been reported. [3] A few cases of multiple NH in which patches are either round, in a check-board or linear pattern, along Blaschko's lines have also been documented. [2] The color of the terminal hair may be the same as the color of the scalp hair, rarely grey or white.…”

Isolated congenital nevoid linear hypertrichosis in an infant: a case report

“…1,2 It is also frequently associated with other abnormalities. 4 We present a rare case of a 16-month-old Hispanic female with isolated nevoid linear hypertrichosis.…”

“…3 Associated terminal hair lightening, skin hypopigmentation, and various other abnormalities such as ocular, neural, and skeletal malformations have been described, especially when the lesion is in a linear distribution. 1,2,4 Ruby laser therapy has been shown to be an effective treatment in children with minimal discomfort and side effects. 5 Nevoid hypertrichosis is uncommon, and cases with linear or Blaschkoid-like distributions that lack other developmental abnormalities or underlying skin changes are even more rare.…”

“…Of these cases, our patient was the youngest to present for dermatological evaluation. 1,2,4 Given the young age of 16 months, concluding this is an isolated cutaneous finding without other abnormalities may be premature, as it is possible that other findings have yet to manifest. Nevertheless, we present this case to highlight an uncommon diagnosis with unique features in order to encourage prompt recognition and appropriate counseling for both patients and families.…”