Reflectance confocal microscopy features of facial angiofibromas

Dermatol Pract Concept. 2017 Jan 31;7(1):51-54. doi: 10.5826/dpc.0701a10. eCollection 2017 Jan.

Abstract

Facial angiofibromas are benign tumors presenting as firm, dome-shaped, flesh-colored to pink papules, typically on the nose and adjoining central face. Clinically and dermoscopically they can mimic melanocytic nevi or basal cell carcinomas (BCC). Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) is a noninvasive imaging tool that is useful in diagnosing melanocytic and non-melanocytic facial lesions. To date no studies have described the RCM features of facial angiofibromas. Herein, we present two cases of facial angiofibromas that were imaged with RCM and revealed tumor island-like structures that mimicked BCC, leading to skin biopsy.

Keywords: angiofibroma; basal cell carcinoma; fibrous papule; reflectance confocal microscopy.