Confused subcutaneous nodules in children: Differential diagnosis of pilomatricoma in children

Abstract

Background: Pilomatricoma is a common but easily misdiagnosed tumor in children.

Aims: To differentiate pilomatricoma from other common subcutaneous nodules in children.

Patients/methods: Misdiagnosed subcutaneous nodules in four children were recorded.

Results: A red mass on a 7-year-old boy's head which had been misdiagnosed pyogenic granuloma was proved to be pilomatricoma. A red mass on an 8-month-old boy's face which had been misdiagnosed infantile hemangioma also turned to be pilomotricoma. A red mass on a 21-month-old girl's breast, which had been misdiagnosed pilomatricoma, was proved to be infantile myofibroma. A subcutaneous nodule under a 13-month-old girl's armpit, which had been misdiagnosed pilomatricoma, turned to be BCG-associated lymphadenitis.

Conclusions: When a child with a subcutaneous nodule attends, pilomatricoma, vascular tumors, fibrous tumors, and BCG-associated lymphadenitis should be considered.

Keywords: child; differential diagnosis; pilomotricoma; shadow cells; subcutaneous nodules.