PENS Syndrome: A New Neurocutaneous Phenotype

Abstract

Cutaneous lesions showing identical clinical and microscopical features, but without any extracutaneous abnormalities, have recently been described by Torrelo et al. [J Am Acad Dermatol 2011;64:888-892] under the designation 'papular epidermal nevus with "skyline" basal cell layer (PENS)'. An association of such nevi with neurologic abnormalities had so far only been published in the 'Atlas of Genodermatoses' edited by Caputo and Tadini. We believe that this unique and otherwise undescribed symptom complex is a new neurocutaneous phenotype that may be called PENS syndrome. Whether this new syndrome can be categorized as a distinct phenotype within the group of epidermal nevus syndromes remains speculative and has to be clarified by further investigations.