Pigmented fungiform papillae in mother and daughter

Hima Gopinath¹ , Gatha M Upadya²

¹ Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy, Sri Manakula Vinayagar Medical College and Hospital, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, India
² Department of Dermatology and STD, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, Mangalore, Karnataka, India

Correspondence Address:
Hima Gopinath
Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy, Sri Manakula Vinayagar Medical College and Hospital, Madagadipet, Puducherry - 605 107
India

A 23-year-old woman presented with blackish pigmentation of tongue of 5 years duration. On examination, the pigmentation was restricted to fungiform papillae on the anterolateral aspect and tip of the tongue [Figure 1a]. Similar pigmented fungiform papillae were seen on her mother's tongue [Figure 1b]. Pigmented fungiform papilla is a rarely reported benign condition. Its prevalence varies from 6% to 33% in darkly pigmented races. There are only some reports in Asian and Caucasian population. Three clinical patterns have been described: pigmentation involving all the fungiform papillae in a localized area on the anterolateral aspect or tip of the tongue, 3–7 pigmented fungiform papillae randomly distributed on the dorsum of the tongue and pigmentation of all the fungiform papillae on the dorsum of the tongue. An autosomal dominant inheritance has been suggested. An increased awareness of this condition is required as the clinical appearance is characteristic and the patient need not be burdened with unnecessary investigations and biopsy. Dermoscopy may be done as it shows a characteristic rose petal-like and cobblestone-like patterns.

Figure 1a: Pigmented fungiform papillae in daughter

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