Pilomatrixoma in a child mimicking a ruptured epidermal cyst clinically and histopathologically: Case report

Hind M Alkatan; Wajda Alhothali; Ola Alnuhayer; Dalal Alessa

doi:10.1016/j.ijscr.2021.106068

Pilomatrixoma in a child mimicking a ruptured epidermal cyst clinically and histopathologically: Case report

Int J Surg Case Rep. 2021 Jul:84:106068. doi: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2021.106068. Epub 2021 Jun 9.

Authors

Hind M Alkatan¹, Wajda Alhothali², Ola Alnuhayer³, Dalal Alessa⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; King Saud University Medical City, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Electronic address: hkatan@ksu.edu.sa.
² Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
³ College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
⁴ Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; College of Medicine, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Abstract

Introduction and importance: Pilomatrixoma is a superficial benign skin tumor that originates from the matrix cells of the hair follicles. It presents more frequently during the first two decades of life and usually involves the head and neck, most often in the eyelid or eyebrow area.

Case presentation: We present a case of pilomatrixoma, which appeared at the age of 14 years with history of recurrent inflammation and discharge mimicking a ruptured epidermal cyst.

Discussion: Pilomatrixomas are often confused clinically with other benign masses, encountered in the clinical practice more frequently like dermoid cysts and epidermal inclusion cysts. The rate of accurate preoperative diagnosis ranges between 0%-30% and the correct diagnosis can be established only after excision and histopathological examination. Our case demonstrates an atypical presentation of pilomatrixoma as an epidermal inclusion cyst.

Conclusion: Ophthalmologists and ocular pathologists should be aware of the atypical presentation of pilomatrixomas to ensure early accurate diagnosis and curative treatment.

Keywords: Case report; Child; Epidermal cyst; Eyelid; Nodule; Pilomatrixoma.