question-icon

Light Brown Spots In Groin Area. Like Cafe-au-lait Spots. Could It Be Due To NF?

default
Posted on Fri, 24 Aug 2012
Twitter Fri, 24 Aug 2012 Answered on
Twitter Fri, 14 Sep 2012 Last reviewed on
Question : Hi,

My son has light brown spots(around 5 or 6) in his groin area. His doctor said they are cafe-au-lait spots. Could it be due to NF?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Praveen Rodrigues (9 hours later)
Hi there. if his doctor said that these were cafe-au-lait spots, then that is what they are. Although cafe-au-lait spots are present in a number of conditions (largely the neurodermatoses like NF, Tuberous sclerosis(TS) etc), more often than not, they are of 'normal' occurence especially if they are only 5-6 & located to one region or 'segmental'. Having said that, segmental NF cannot be ruled out. I understand your son if 1 year of age & you may wish to be more 'safe than sorry' & empathise with your case. You may wish to ask for a simple skull xray or a CT scan which will show up early signs of NF/TS if at all which i consider 'extremely rare' in your case. I dont believe in percentages just individual cases, hence i have refrained from being too politically correct. The need for the hour (if i sense your pulse having 4 kiddos of my own) is to be sure of what you are dealing with. Although i wish to reassure you that i think this is a 'normal' occurence (assuming here too that there is no-one in your family with any neurofibromatosis), please do run the tests suggested for completion sake & to give your mind the peace it craves.
Cheers & Here's hoping i have in some small way pointed you in the right direction, allayed your fears & helped you make an 'informed' deciscion. Good Luck & Godspeed!
Dr Praveen Rodrigues MD
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Praveen Rodrigues

Dermatologist

Practicing since :1993

Answered : 1193 Questions

Ask a specialist now
premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Ask a Dermatologist
Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
backtotop2
Light Brown Spots In Groin Area. Like Cafe-au-lait Spots. Could It Be Due To NF?

Hi there. if his doctor said that these were cafe-au-lait spots, then that is what they are. Although cafe-au-lait spots are present in a number of conditions (largely the neurodermatoses like NF, Tuberous sclerosis(TS) etc), more often than not, they are of 'normal' occurence especially if they are only 5-6 & located to one region or 'segmental'. Having said that, segmental NF cannot be ruled out. I understand your son if 1 year of age & you may wish to be more 'safe than sorry' & empathise with your case. You may wish to ask for a simple skull xray or a CT scan which will show up early signs of NF/TS if at all which i consider 'extremely rare' in your case. I dont believe in percentages just individual cases, hence i have refrained from being too politically correct. The need for the hour (if i sense your pulse having 4 kiddos of my own) is to be sure of what you are dealing with. Although i wish to reassure you that i think this is a 'normal' occurence (assuming here too that there is no-one in your family with any neurofibromatosis), please do run the tests suggested for completion sake & to give your mind the peace it craves.
Cheers & Here's hoping i have in some small way pointed you in the right direction, allayed your fears & helped you make an 'informed' deciscion. Good Luck & Godspeed!
Dr Praveen Rodrigues MD