Systematized Epidermal Nervus Treated with Isotretinoin

September 2002 | Volume 1 | Issue 2 | Case Reports | 195 | Copyright © September 2002


Alysa R. Herman, MD and Rachelle A. Scott, MD

Abstract
Epidermal nevi are hamartomas of embryonic ectoderm characterized by hyperplasia of the epidermis and adnexal structures. They may be classified according to their clinical morphology, extent of involvement, and predominant cell type. Their incidence is approximately 1 per 1000 live births and although familial cases have been reported, the majority of cases occur sporadically1. Most lesions present either at birth or in early infancy and may enlarge during during childhood, usually reaching stability by adolescence. When extensive, lesions may be associated with the epidermal nevus syndrome, in which developmental abnormalities may be seen in the visual, skeletal, cardiovascular, and central nervous systems2. While typically benign, rare cases of malignant transformation to basal cell, squamous cell, verrucous, and adnexal carcinomas have been described.