A Case Report of a Giant Epidermal Nevus on the Scalp

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Epidermal nevi are hamartomas of the skin with multiple clinical variants. Normally, epidermal nevi present at an early age, are found on the head and neck area, and have a female predominance. Only very rarely do epidermal nevi have an adult onset. Most lesions are small and giant Epidermal nevi (> 5 cm at its greatest diameter) are quite rare. Huge verrucous plaque was observed on the scalp of a 70-year-old man. He had been reclusive for a long time, and this problem might have played a crucial role in the development of the giant epidermal nevi. METHODS: A punch biopsy and MRI imaging were performed. The huge mass was resected. A local flap and split thickness skin graft was used for reconstruction. RESULTS: The histology examination revealed the characteristic findings of epidermal nevus. Postoperatively, the patient did not suffer from complications or recurrence. CONCLUSION: A rare case of a huge epidermal nevus on the scalp of an elderly man was treated with a surgical excision. This is the oldest patient reported with an adult onset epidermal nevus in Korea.