Psuedoepitheliomatous Hyperplasia Mimicking Squamous Cell Cancer in a Post-burn Scalp Wound: Case Report and Review of Literature

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia is a benigncondition characterized by hyperplasia of the epidermis andadnexal epithelium commonly occurring in reaction to severalconditions including chronic burn wound.Case Report An 18 month old male patient presented withscald burns to the scalp and face with chronicity and infectionof the burn wound as consent for skin grafting was not givenby the parents. Initial histology of incision biopsy specimenrevealed a well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma ina chronic burn wound on the scalp. This did not correlatewith the clinical picture of the wound necessitating a secondhistologic review of the biopsy specimen, which this timewas confirmed as pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia.Patient further declined excision and grafting with the woundeventually healing with scarring after 10 months.Conclusion: A very high index of suspicion is required inmaking the diagnosis of PEH. Public enlightenment is neededto educate people on wounds and their management if optimalresults must be obtained.