Pilomatrixoma: a common tumour of head and neck, but rarely reported

Abstract

Pilomatrixoma is a benign subcutaneous tumour arising from the sebaceous glands. Mutation in the CTNNB1 gene is seen, suggesting beta-catenin misregulation may be the cause of pilomatrixoma. The preoperative diagnosis may be improved by the awareness of the fact that pilomatrixoma is a common and benign skin tumour of the head and neck region. It presents as a well-defined mass, which may be firm to hard in consistency, usually attached to the skin, but not to the underlying tissue. The colour of overlying skin appears a reddish-brown tinge, indicating that it could be a case of pilomatrixoma. Here, we report a case of pilomatrixoma of the cheek in a woman along with the CT findings and histopathological appearances. Dental surgeons should consider it as one of the differential diagnosis in superficial head and neck swelling with calcification.

Giant pilomatrixoma with bullous appearance on the back: A case report and discussion of misdiagnosis

“…Pilomatrixoma, or pilomatricoma, is usually an asymptomatic, solitary, deep dermal firm nodules with an overlying normal epidermis, which is often found on the head, face, or neck 2 in children or adults aged >50 years. It is only rarely found on the back or extremities 3 .…”

“…Pilomatrixoma is a superficial, benign skin tumor arising from hair follicle matrix cells 1 . It often occurs on the head, face, or neck, 2 rarely on the back or extremities 3 . Its common clinical appearance is a hard, well‐circumscribed, slow‐growing intradermal nodule covered by the skin of normal appearance or skin whose color has changed secondary to epithelial thinning 4 .…”

Demographic and clinicopathological features and long-term results of pediatric cases diagnosed with pilomatrixoma

“…Ghost cells form as a result of keratinization of the basaloid cells and the number of ghost cells increases with the age of the lesion, while basaloid cells may disappear completely. [15] Granulomatous inflammation, foreign body giant cells and calcification are common findings in pilomatrixomas. [16] In the histopathological examination of our cases, ghost cells mixed with keratin in the middle (eosinophilic cells without a nucleus formed as a result of keratinization of basaloid cells) and small cystic tumor islands lined with basaloid cells were seen in the early lesions.…”

Increasing the Awareness of Pilomatricoma in the Preauricular Area

“…4 However, mutation of the CTNNB1 gene, which encodes beta-catenin, might play a role. 3,4,8,11,12 Multiple pilomatricomas can be associated with Gardner syndrome, Turner syndrome, Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome, myotonic dystrophy, and Steinert disease. 1,6,7,9,10,12 Radiologic evaluation has a limited value in diagnosis of pilomatricoma.…”

“…3,4,8,11,12 Multiple pilomatricomas can be associated with Gardner syndrome, Turner syndrome, Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome, myotonic dystrophy, and Steinert disease. 1,6,7,9,10,12 Radiologic evaluation has a limited value in diagnosis of pilomatricoma. 1,[5][6][7] The primary reason for radiological exams is to differentiate preauricular tumors from parotid tumors.…”