The study of the nature and origin of nevi, their harmful potentialities and their relation to associated congenital malformations of other ectodermal structures presents many interesting and complex problems. During the last decade, fairly well established concepts concerning the nature and origin of nevi have been altered or discarded by several competent investigators, and the apparent significance of the association of certain groups of neurologic signs and symptoms with nevoid changes in the skin has resulted in the recognition of the neurocutaneous syndromes.
Dermatologists have long been familiar with the occasional association of neurofibromatosis and lowered mentality and with the association of adenoma sebaceum and epilepsy and feeblemindedness; however, the neurologist and the neurosurgeon, for obvious reasons, have led the way in the correlation of associated neurologic findings and cutaneous congenital malformations.
It is reasonable to suspect that melanotic congenital malformations may occur in the meninges