Ectopic sebaceous gland: a developmental anomaly

Abstract

We report the case of a 21-year-old white male with an ectopic sebaceous gland and duct located within the bulb of an anagen hair follicle. This is an incidental finding in one of two biopsies from his chin, performed as part of the workup for a recalcitrant perioral acneiform eruption. The embryogenesis and development of sebaceous glands in human scalp hair follicles are reviewed. To our knowledge, this is the first report of such a developmental anomaly.

Multiple Tiny Ectopic Sebaceous Glands Discovered Throughout Entire Esophageal Tract

“…There are two main hypotheses [16]. The first involves a developmental disorder of the esophagus when it is formed from endodermal tissue by means of an epithelium metaplastic process [19]. Bull et al [20] postulated that c-Myc expression might be correlated with the enlargement of the sebaceous glands in skin.…”

Ectopic Sebaceous Glands in the Hair Follicle Matrix: Case Reports and Literature Review of this Embryogenic Anomaly

“…The finding of a sebaceous gland within the hair matrix is a rare developmental anomaly. Tschen et al reported the first individual with this abnormality in the Journal of Cutaneous Pathology in 2006 [1]. The patient was a 21-year-old man with a five year history of a recalcitrant perioral folliculitis which was made worse by shaving.…”

“…Normal skin flora was grown from the bacterial cultures from his nostril and a skin pustule. Therefore, he underwent two biopsies on his chin; an ectopic sebaceous gland and duct was located within the bulb of an anagen hair follicle from his right chin biopsy [1].…”

“…Ectopic sebaceous glands within the hair follicle matrix are rarely observed. To the best of our knowledge, this phenomenon has only been described once [1]. We report two men who also demonstrated this developmental anomaly and review the characteristics of individuals in whom this has occurred.…”