A 32 year old women has had, since birth, pigmented spots of the left periorbital area without involving the sclera [Figure 1, 2].

There has been no change in the extent of the lesion. The patient noticed that the spots become sometimes some what darker. Dermoscopy revealed multiples brown areas without structures [Figure 3].

Ota is a congenital pigmentary disorder of the skin and mucus membranes, observed frequently in the yellow race and blacks [1]. It is a macular discoloration of the middle and upper portions of the face with common involvement of the periorbital area [2]. Most cases are sporadic, rare family clusters have been reported [3] and are characterized as being unilateral (95%, having a female predilection (80%, displaying scleral lesions (65%), and being congenital (60%) [2]. The lesions were composed of brown and blue macules the size of wich varied from that of a grain of rice to that of lentil. The overall pigment picture varied from deep purplisch-blue to light brownish-blue [1]. Lesions tend to be slate-gray to brown in color with a ‘powder-blast burn' appearance. The forehead, temple, periorbital area, cheek, and nose are commonly involved. Rarely, pigmentation is bilateral and large areas of the face and oral mucous membranes are affected [3]. The nevus of Ota is a misnomer because it does not contain true nevus cells and derives its pigmentation from dendritic melanocytes which are found in the reticular layer of the dermis [2]. The treatment options for this condition included cryotherapy, dermabrasion, surgical excision and cosmetic camouflage. Although The Q-switched lasers have been used successfully to treat nevus of Ota [4].

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

1. Mishima Y, Mevorah B. Nevus Ota and Nevus Ito in American Negroes. Journal of Investigative Dermatology. 1961; 36(2): 133-154.   
2. Page DG, Svirsky JA, Kaugars GE. Nevus of Ota with associated palatal involvement. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol. 1985; 59(3): 282-284.   
3. Elouarradi H, et al. Mélanocytoseo culopalpébrale ou naevus d'Ota. Pan African Medical Journal. 2014; 17: 231. doi: 10.11604/pamj.2014.17.231.3540   
4. Aurangabadkar S. QYAG5 Q-switched Nd:YAG Laser Treatment of Nevus of Ota: An Indian Study of 50 Patients. J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2008; 1(2): 80-84. doi: 10.4103/0974-2077.44164