Bilateral hyperkeratosis of the nipples and areolae with linear nevus: a rare case report and review of the literature

ABSTRACT

Hyperkeratosis of the nipple and areola is an uncommon dermatosis without well-defined etiology, which occurs mostly in young women and may only be a cosmetic problem. In 1938, Levy-Frankel classified this disease into three variants; type I involves hyperkeratosis with an epidermal nevus, and has rarely been reported. We report a case of a 23-year-old woman with long-term bilateral pigmentation and thickening of the nipples and areolae, accompanied with dark brown, flat lesions with a linear distribution on her left forearm. The verrucous plaques were asymptomatic and could be scratched off by the patient herself. Consequently, she did not seek medical care for more than ten years. The prevalence of this condition is likely underestimated because many affected individuals are not sufficiently motivated to seek medical attention.

KEYWORDS:

• Bilateral hyperkeratosis of the nipple and areola
• linear nevus
• epidermal nevus
• uncommon dermatosis

Statement of ethics

Written informed consent has been obtained from the patient.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties. Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial relationships or otherwise to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

None.