Pigmented fungiform papillae of the tongue and other mucocutaneous melanoses: Distinct conditions or manifestations of Laugier-Hunziker syndrome?

Pigmented fungiform papillae of the tongue can be detected relatively frequently in individuals with dark complexions and other pigmentations considered racial or physiological.However, when they appear in fair-skinned patients, this has prompted their publication.On the other hand, the combined appearance of pigmented lesions affecting different body areas, such as the lips, oral cavity, nails, genitalia, or skin, is referred to as Laugier-Hunziker syndrome (LHS).Moreover, all these pigmentations, most of which are grouped together as mucosal melanoses, are more common in darkskinned populations.A review of all of these pigmentations was conducted.Similar clinical and histopathological findings across all of them suggest a continuous spectrum.It was found that papillae of the tongue had been described, in some cases, as part of LHS.Mucosal melanoses have been described as solitary lesions or as part of LHS when accompanied by other pigmentations.The factors that determine their appearance and variable associations are unknown.It remains to be determined whether the pigmentations remain solitary or evolve into multiple forms, as sometimes observed.Therefore, follow-up is suggested to determine whether they develop additional lesions over time and to support a unifying hypothesis.