Faun tail nevus: A series of 15 cases and their management with Intense Pulse Light

Localized lumbosacral hypertrichosis presenting as faun tail nevus often represents an underlying spinal occult or overt abnormality. This study was undertaken to study these abnormalities and assess their treatment outcome with Intense Pulse Light (IPL) for permanent hair reduction.

Patients reporting with localized spinal hypertrichosis underwent clinical examination and radio imaging. Symptomatic neurological deficit underwent definitive neurosurgical intervention (if indicated) before hair removal. IPL was administered as 30 J/cm² four weekly for six sessions. Treatment assessment was based on a Global Physician Assessment Scale and by averaged terminal hair count at four quadrants in 1 cm² area as observed through the hair densitometer before starting treatment, every four weeks and at the end of six months of follow up thereafter. Averaged hair count was interpreted with paired t-test.

This neurocutaneous marker was observed in 15 patients out of a total of 360,767 patients (0.004%) over a four-year period. Age group of patients ranged from 3 to 26 years, comprising of all female patients. Radio imaging revealed diastematomyelia in 10, spina bifida in 04 and 01 had both as the primary spinal abnormality. Thirteen patients were treated with IPL for a period of six months, assessment after six months revealed a highly statistical significant p > 0.0001 reduction in hair growth consistent when followed up after 18 months.

This article aims to present a series of this rare neurocutaneous marker and highlight our experience in their management with IPL served as an effective alternative to traditional lasers.