The Laugier-Hunziker syndrome-a clinical review of six cases

Abstract

The Laugier-Hunziker syndrome is an acquired, benign, macular hyperpigmentation of the lips and buccal mucosa. The nails are often involved with the development of melanonychia. Twenty-two previous cases have been recorded in the literature. We present details of six Caucasian patients with the Laugier-Hunziker syndrome who are the first recorded from Britain. They all had acquired, macular hyperpigmentation of the lips and buccal mucosa. In five of these patients longitudinal pigmented bands were found on the nails. None had other family members affected. Although this is the first report of British patients with this syndrome, we believe that the condition is probably more common than is generally recognized.

Posible asociación autoinmune entre síndrome de Laugier-Hunziker y síndrome de Sjögren: reporte de un caso y revisión de la literatura

“…Si bien la asociación entre SLH y síndrome de Sjögren podría ser fortuita, existen reportes de esta patología asociada a diversas enfermedades autoinmunes en otros países, tales como lupus eritematoso cutáneo y sistémico, artritis reuma-toide, síndrome de Sjögren, anemia hemolítica con Coombs positivo, médula ósea hipocelular con anticuerpos antinucleares positivos y penfigoide bulloso [10][11][12][13][14] . La existencia de estos casos, por si solos, no son prueba suficiente para establecer una relación de causalidad, sin embargo, podrían sugerir un estímulo autoinmune para la síntesis de melanina en el SLH.…”

“…Revisando la literatura internacional disponible, existen al menos cinco publicaciones que relacionan SLH a autoinmunidad [10][11][12][13][14] . Lo anterior nos permite sospechar que un mecanismo autoinmune podría participar en la patogénesis de esta entidad y, por ende, requiere formular un enfrentamiento inicial acorde.…”

A Case of Laugier-Hunziker Syndrome

“…Buccal mucosa is commonly affected and reports also include pigmentation of the hard and soft palate, the gingival, the palatoglossal arch, the floor of the mouth and the tongue. Nail changes are found in about 60% of cases 2 . The characteristic changes are longitudinal pigmented streaks in one or more fingernails 6 .…”

“…These include benign racial pigmentation, Addison's disease, Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, LEOPARD syndrome, LAMB syndrome, drug ingestion such as minocycline, antimalarials, and phenothiazines 2,3 . Most of these conditions were ruled out in our patient on the basis of history and clinical examination for the associated features.…”

“…The eponymous terminology "Laugier-Hunziker syndrome" (LHS) was later coined to designate this entity. Additional reports emphasized the absence of associated systemic disease, and the need to differentiate this condition from diseases that have similar pigmentary changes but also significant systemic abnormalities 2,3 . The importance of recognizing this benign syndrome is to avoid unnecessary and invasive diagnostic investigation and treatment.…”