Pilomatricoma - study on 27 cases and review of literature

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to report the clinicopathological spectrum of Pilomatricoma, an uncommon benign tumour of hair matrix. The study is a retrospective review of 27 cases of pilomatricoma reported in a private Laboratory of Lahore from 2006-2008. The clinical data of the patients was obtained from their respective files. Age range of the patients was from 8-76 years. Maximum number of cases was observed in the second decade. Female to male ratio was 21. The size of the tumour ranged from 4-90 mm in diameter. The most common site for the occurrence of pilomatricoma was head and neck followed by upper extremities. Majority of the specimens were submitted as unspecified lumps. Other provisional diagnoses included enlarged cervical lymph nodes, sebaceous cysts, tuberculoma, haemangioma, keloid and granulation tissue. All the patients presented with solitary lump. Preoperative diagnosis of pilomatricoma is most often confused clinically with other skin diseases due to its wide variety of clinical characteristics. Careful clinical examination would result in a more accurate diagnosis; however, definite diagnosis is only possible after microscopy of the lesion