Inflammatory linear verrucous epidermal nevus

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Alternate names[edit | edit source]

ILVEN; Linear verrucose epidermal nevus; Verrucous epidermal nevus; Verrucous nevus; Inflammatory linear verrucous epidermal naevus; Inflammatory linear verrucous epidermal nevus

Definition[edit | edit source]

Inflammatory linear verrucous epidermal nevus (ILVEN) is a type of skin overgrowth, called epidermal nevus.

Inflammatory verrucous linear epidermal nevus.jpg

Genetics[edit | edit source]

ILVEN is caused by a genetic change that occurs after conception (somatic mutation).

Signs and symptoms[edit | edit source]

  • It is characterized by skin colored, brown, or reddish, wart-like papules (nevi).
  • The nevi join to form patches or plaques that often follow a pattern on the skin known as the "lines of Blaschko".
  • The affected areas of the skin may be red, itchy, and inflamed.
  • ILVEN typically presents from birth to early childhood and often is limited to one side of the lower half of the body.
  • It affects females more often than males.
  • It usually occurs alone; however, rarely ILVEN can be associated with other symptoms as part of an epidermal nevus syndrome.
  • Rarely, ILVEN can become cancerous (for example, basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma).

Diagnosis[edit | edit source]

  • A diagnosis of ILVEN syndrome should be considered in patients with extensive verrucous, pruritic epidermal nevi, and/or systemic abnormalities.
  • A thorough mucocutaneous, neurologic, ophthalmic, and orthopedic examination is necessary with specific investigations depending on the involved system.
  • A regular follow-up is necessary due to the risk of malignant transformation of the nevi and development of systemic manifestations.[1].

Treatment[edit | edit source]

  • There is no one treatment or cure for ILVEN. Products used to soften the skin (emollients), moisturizers, and topical steroids may be utilized to relieve symptoms of dryness and itching.
  • Recently, several patients have been treated with laser therapy with good results.


  1. Kumar, C. A., Yeluri, G., & Raghav, N. (2012). Inflammatory linear verrucous epidermal nevus syndrome with its polymorphic presentation - A rare case report. Contemporary clinical dentistry, 3(1), 119–122. https://doi.org/10.4103/0976-237X.94562


NIH genetic and rare disease info[edit source]

Inflammatory linear verrucous epidermal nevus is a rare disease.


Inflammatory linear verrucous epidermal nevus Resources
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