Musculoskeletal Imaging

Caf-au-lait spots

pigmented dermal macules seen in patients with neurofibromatosis, fibrous dysplasia and tuberous sclerosis. The spots take their name from their light brown colour, resembling milky coffee. The number of spots tends to be more than six in neurofibromatosis, which can be used as a rough diagnostic indicator; in this disorder the spots increase in size, number and amount of pigmentation until about the age of 25 years, when they may fade. In fibrous dysplasia, the caf-au-lait spots are not raised above the surface but tend to occur on the skin overlying the lower lumbar spine and upper back, neck, and shoulders. They are darker in colour than the spots in neurofibromatosis.

DR