MELANOSIS NAEVIFORMIS OF BECKER AND SCOLIOSIS - A COINCIDENCE

Melanosis naeviformis of Becker (MNE) can be associated with hypoplasi a of soft tissue or extremities, spina bifida and scoliosis of the ver tebral column. We have investigated 50 patients (42 men, 8 women) with MNB radiologically. Scoliosis was diagnosed in 13 patients (26%), The curves of scoliosis varied from 11 degrees to 17 degrees. Physical ex amination revealed no gross asymmetries of the trunk, extremities or b reasts, No correlation was seen between the age of patients and the sc oliotic curve. In one family the father and oldest son had MNB with sc oliosis and the other son and daughter had MNB without scoliosis. Sinc e only mild scoliosis is found in patients with MNB, X-ray examination of the vertebral column has no therapeutic consequences.