Dermal melanocytosis (Mongolian spot) is characterized by racial variations in incidence as well as spontaneous regression in childhood. It is usually seen on the back and the buttocks but may be seen elsewhere infrequently. Mori and associates1 first reported the occurrence of a Mongolian spot in the cleft area of the cleft lip under the name "cleft lip nevus." We describe a patient who had similar findings.
Report of a Case
A 5-month-old Japanese boy was initially seen with incomplete cleft lip and jaw. On physical examination, there was a small area of gray pigmentation at the apex of the cleft (Fig 1). This area of pigmentation was removed at an operation for the cleft lip.Light microscopic examination showed sparse, typical, fusiform dermal melanocytes between the collagen bundles of the upper half of the dermis.Electron microscopic examination showed fusiform or ribbon-shaped dermal melanocytes. Elastic fibers were present