Nevus of Ota

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [2]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Kiran Singh, M.D. [3]

Overview

Nevus of Ota (also known as “congenital melanosis bulbi”,^[1] “nevus fuscoceruleus ophthalmomaxillaris”, “oculodermal melanocytosis”,^[2]^:700 and “Oculomucodermal melanocytosis”^[1]) is a blue hyperpigmentation^[3] that occurs on the face. It was first reported by Dr. M. T. Ota of Japan in 1939.^[4]

Nevus of Ota is caused by the entrapment of melanocytes in the upper third of the dermis. It is found on the face unilaterally and involves the first two branches of the trigeminal nerve. The sclera is involved in two-thirds of cases (causing an increased risk of glaucoma). It should not be confused with Mongolian spot, which is a birthmark caused by entrapment of melanocytes in the dermis but is located in the lumbosacral region. Women are nearly five times more likely to be affected than men, and it is rare among caucasian people.^[5] Nevus of Ota may not be congenital, and may appear during puberty.

Diagnosis

Physcial Examination

Eye

Sclerae

Naevus of ota. With permission from Dermatology Atlas.^[6]

Bilateral Type

Naevus of ota- bilateral type. With permission from Dermatology Atlas.^[6]

Treatment

A Q-switched laser has been successfully used to treat the condition.^[7]^[8]

Hydroquinone preparations are also helpful in partially treating this condition.

References

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 Rapini, Ronald P.; Bolognia, Jean L.; Jorizzo, Joseph L. (2007). Dermatology: 2-Volume Set. St. Louis: Mosby. pp. 1720–22. ISBN 1-4160-2999-0.
↑ James, William D.; Berger, Timothy G.; et al. (2006). Andrews’ Diseases of the Skin: clinical Dermatology. Saunders Elsevier. ISBN 0-7216-2921-0.
↑ Chan HH, Kono T (2003). “Nevus of Ota: clinical aspects and management”. Skinmed. 2 (2): 89–96, quiz 97–8. doi:10.1111/j.1540-9740.2003.01706.x. PMID 14673306.
↑ “eMedicine – Nevi of Ota and Ito : Article by Harvey Lui”. Retrieved 2008-03-22.
↑ Esquire interview by Daniela Ruah where she states “It’s very common in Asian people but quite rare in Caucasians”.
↑ ^6.0 ^6.1 “Dermatology Atlas”.
↑ Geronemus R. “Q-switched ruby laser therapy of nevus of Ota”. Arch Dermatol. 128:1618-1622. 1992 [1]
↑ Watanabe S, Takahashi H (1994). “Treatment of nevus of Ota with the Q-switched ruby laser”. N. Engl. J. Med. 331 (26): 1745–50. doi:10.1056/NEJM199412293312604. PMID 7984195.

[Bolognia-1] 1.0 ^1.1 Rapini, Ronald P.; Bolognia, Jean L.; Jorizzo, Joseph L. (2007). Dermatology: 2-Volume Set. St. Louis: Mosby. pp. 1720–22. ISBN 1-4160-2999-0.

[Andrews-2] James, William D.; Berger, Timothy G.; et al. (2006). Andrews’ Diseases of the Skin: clinical Dermatology. Saunders Elsevier. ISBN 0-7216-2921-0.

[pmid14673306-3] Chan HH, Kono T (2003). “Nevus of Ota: clinical aspects and management”. Skinmed. 2 (2): 89–96, quiz 97–8. doi:10.1111/j.1540-9740.2003.01706.x. PMID 14673306.

[titleeMedicine_-_Nevi_of_Ota_and_Ito_:_Article_by_Harvey_Lui-4] “eMedicine – Nevi of Ota and Ito : Article by Harvey Lui”. Retrieved 2008-03-22.

[5] Esquire interview by Daniela Ruah where she states “It’s very common in Asian people but quite rare in Caucasians”.

[Dermatology_Atlas-6] 6.0 ^6.1 “Dermatology Atlas”.

[7] Geronemus R. “Q-switched ruby laser therapy of nevus of Ota”. Arch Dermatol. 128:1618-1622. 1992 [1]

[pmid7984195-8] Watanabe S, Takahashi H (1994). “Treatment of nevus of Ota with the Q-switched ruby laser”. N. Engl. J. Med. 331 (26): 1745–50. doi:10.1056/NEJM199412293312604. PMID 7984195.

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