Congenital Dermal Melanocytosis (Mongolian Spot) Treatment & Management

  • Author: Abdul-Ghani Kibbi, MD; Chief Editor: Dirk M Elston, MD   more...
 
Updated: Jul 22, 2011
 

Medical Care

Opaque cosmetics may be used as camouflage for Mongolian spots.

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Surgical Care

The value of lasers in Mongolian spot is uncertain. However, in a retrospective study of 26 Japanese patients, the Q-switched alexandrite laser showed better outcomes in extrasacral lesions treated at a younger age.[22]

The Q-switched ruby laser was used in the treatment of aberrant mongolian spots in 53 patients; it was more effective in exposed areas versus nonexposed areas.[23]

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Abdul-Ghani Kibbi, MD  Professor and Chair, Department of Dermatology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Lebanon

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Ruba Faik Bahhady, MD  Senior Specialist, Department of Dermatology, American University of Beirut Medical Center

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Zeina Tannous, MD  Consulting Staff, Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School

Zeina Tannous, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Mazen Kurban, MD  Staff Physician, Department of Dermatology, American University of Beirut Medical Center

Mazen Kurban, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Ponciano D Cruz Jr, MD  Vice-Chair, JB Shelmire Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

Ponciano D Cruz Jr, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: RCTS Consulting fee Independent contractor; Mary Kay Cosmetics Honoraria Consulting; Galderma Grant/research funds Principal Investigator

David F Butler, MD  Professor of Dermatology, Texas A&M University College of Medicine; Chair, Department of Dermatology, Director, Dermatology Residency Training Program, Scott and White Clinic, Northside Clinic

David F Butler, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, American Society for MOHS Surgery, Association of Military Dermatologists, and Phi Beta Kappa

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Edward F Chan, MD  Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine

Edward F Chan, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Society of Dermatopathology, and Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Catherine M Quirk, MD  Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania

Catherine M Quirk, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha and American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD  Director, Ackerman Academy of Dermatopathology, New York

Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

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  2. Reza AM, Farahnaz GZ, Hamideh S, Alinaghi SA, Saeed Z, Mostafa H. Incidence of Mongolian spots and its common sites at two university hospitals in Tehran, Iran. Pediatr Dermatol. Jul-Aug 2010;27(4):397-8. [Medline].

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  10. Achtelik W, Tronnier M, Wolff HH. [Combined naevus flammeus and naevus fuscocoeruleus: phacomatosis pigmentovascularis type IIa]. Hautarzt. Sep 1997;48(9):653-6. [Medline].

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  12. Kawara S, Takata M, Hirone T, Tomita K, Hamaoka H. [A new variety of neurocutaneous melanosis: benign leptomeningeal melanocytoma associated with extensive Mongolian spot on the back]. Nippon Hifuka Gakkai Zasshi. Apr 1989;99(5):561-6. [Medline].

  13. Torrelo A, Zambrano A, Happle R. Large aberrant Mongolian spots coexisting with cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita (phacomatosis pigmentovascularis type V or phacomatosis cesiomarmorata). J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. Mar 2006;20(3):308-10. [Medline].

  14. Uysal G, Guven A, Ozhan B, Ozturk MH, Mutluay AH, Tulunay O. Phakomatosis pigmentovascularis with Sturge-Weber syndrome: a case report. J Dermatol. Jul 2000;27(7):467-70. [Medline].

  15. Van Gysel D, Oranje AP, Stroink H, Simonsz HJ. Phakomatosis pigmentovascularis. Pediatr Dermatol. Jan-Feb 1996;13(1):33-5. [Medline].

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  18. Ochiai T, Ito K, Okada T, Chin M, Shichino H, Mugishima H. Significance of extensive Mongolian spots in Hunter's syndrome. Br J Dermatol. Jun 2003;148(6):1173-8. [Medline].

  19. Snow TM. Mongolian spots in the newborn: do they mean anything?. Neonatal Netw. Jan-Feb 2005;24(1):31-3. [Medline].

  20. AlJasser M, Al-Khenaizan S. Cutaneous mimickers of child abuse: a primer for pediatricians. Eur J Pediatr. Nov 2008;167(11):1221-30. [Medline].

  21. Ashrafi MR, Shabanian R, Mohammadi M, Kavusi S. Extensive Mongolian spots: a clinical sign merits special attention. Pediatr Neurol. Feb 2006;34(2):143-5. [Medline].

  22. Kagami S, Asahina A, Watanabe R, et al. Laser treatment of 26 Japanese patients with Mongolian spots. Dermatol Surg. Dec 2008;34(12):1689-94. [Medline].

  23. Shirakawa M, Ozawa T, Ohasi N, Ishii M, Harada T. Comparison of regional efficacy and complications in the treatment of aberrant Mongolian spots with the Q-switched ruby laser. J Cosmet Laser Ther. Jun 2010;12(3):138-42. [Medline].

  24. Ahn JS, Kim SD, Hwang JH, Youn SW, Kim KH, Park KC. Halo-like disappearance of mongolian spot combined with café au lait spot. Pediatr Dermatol. Jan-Feb 1998;15(1):70-1. [Medline].

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Multiple Mongolian spots in a child.
 
 
 
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