Pilomatricoma: A Case Report

Case Report

Austin J Dermatolog. 2015;2(1): 1036.

Pilomatricoma: A Case Report

Jayakar Thomas*, Tamilarasi S, Asha D and Zohra Begum C

Department of Dermatology, Sree Balaji Medical College & Bharath University, India

*Corresponding author: Jayakar Thomas, Department of Dermatology, Sree Balaji Medical College & Bharath University, Chennai 600044, India

Received: April 05, 2015; Accepted: May 29, 2015; Published: June 02, 2015

Abstract

Pilomatricoma is a benign tumor that arises from hair follicle matrical cells. Involvement of the upper limb is relatively uncommon and can be mistaken for other soft tissue tumors. We report the case of a 12 year old boy, who presented with an asymptomatic firm nodule over the left arm whose histology was suggestive of Pilomatricoma.

Keywords: Pilomatricoma; Shadow cells; Ghost cells; Basaloid cells

Introduction

Pilomatricoma also known as Pilomatrixoma or calcifying epithelioma of Malherbe is a benign neoplasm, which is derived from hair follicle matrix cells. These tumors are typically present in the head and neck region, but also occur in the upper limbs and are rarely reported in other sites[1].Pilomatricoma represents as an asymptomatic, solitary, firm to hard, freely mobile nodule of the dermis or subcutaneous tissue. These tumors are generally exhibits no fixation to neighbouring tissues and have an osseous- or cartilagelike hardness [1-4]. The size of the tumor rarely exceeds 3 cm. The overlying skin may exhibit a bluish discoloration or ulceration [5].

We report a case of pilomatricoma over left arm. Additionally, we discuss the clinical features and histopathological features regarding pilomatricoma in the upper extremity.

Case Report

A 12-year-old boy presented with a 7 month history of insidious onset of an isolated mass over left arm. The mass was painless, progressively enlarging, not associated with itching and discharge. He denied any history of trauma over the site and no history of fever, chills, fatigue, weight loss, numbness and tingling.

Physical examination revealed a 3cm by 2cm; non-tender, firm mass over the left arm. It was superficial and easily mobile (Figure 1). The neurovascular status of the left hand was noted to be intact; there were no other palpable masses in the extremities and no axillary adenopathy was present. Excision biopsy was performed under regional anesthesia. Grossly the tumor was white in appearance and well circumscribed.