[Transitory apocrine hidrocystomatosis of the scrotum]. / Hidrocystomatose apocrine transitoire du scrotum.

BACKGROUND: Apocrine hidrocystomas are benign cystic tumors that develop from apocrine gland proliferation. In most cases, they are translucent solitary lesions of the face, generally found in the periorbital region, on the scalp or on the neck. More rarely, apocrine hidrocystomas may be multiple and appear on the ears, trunk, shoulders and genital area. They generally appear in adulthood, with only a few pediatric cases being reported, of which three in the genital area, with a solitary case of multiple hidrocystomas of the scrotum, although no cases of spontaneous involution of hidrocystomas have previously been reported. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Two boys aged 4 and 6 months were seen in consultation for small sub-millimeter size, subcutaneous, black lesions on the scrotum that appeared in the weeks following birth. Histological examination of these lesions resulted in a diagnosis of apocrine hidrocystoma. The children were seen again a few weeks later and the skin lesions had totally disappeared. We report two cases of multiple apocrine hidrocystomas on the scrotum with spontaneous involution diagnosed in a 4- and a 6-month-old boy. DISCUSSION: Apocrine hidrocystomas are rare benign adnexal tumors that develop from apocrine sweat glands. They are considered as cystic proliferations of the apocrine glands rather than simple retention cysts. The main differential diagnosis of the rare cases of multiple apocrine hidrocystomas are eccrine hidrocystomas. The treatment of such lesions is based on surgical excision if they are isolated, daily application of topical atropine 1%, or CO2 laser for multiple apocrine hidrocystomas.

[Multiple cephalic deep granuloma annulare of children]. / Granulomes annulaires profonds multiples céphaliques de l'enfant.

BACKGROUND: Deep granuloma annulare is a fairly rare variety of granuloma annulare. It is seen predominantly in children and mainly affects the anterior aspect of the legs and the top of the feet; cephalic presentation is rare. Below, we report three cases of deep granuloma annulare in children presenting solely at the cephalic extremity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Case 1: a six-year-old boy presented 7 cutaneous nodules measuring 1 to 2cm that were flesh-coloured, insensitive to palpation, of hard consistency and deeply attached. The lesions were grouped together on the anterior half of the left temporal fossa. While spontaneous regression of the three nodules was noted in the month following cutaneous biopsy, these nodules recurred a few months later. Case 2: a four-year-old girl with five deep cephalic nodules measuring around one centimetre and the colour of normal skin were seen on her right temporal fossa. The child was lost to follow-up after biopsy. Case 3: a four-month-old infant was presenting some 15 deep cutaneous nodules arranged in linear fashion on the forehead next to the left temporal fossa. These nodules regressed spontaneously one month after biopsy. In all three cases, histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of deep granuloma annulare. DISCUSSION: There have been few published cases of multiple, cephalic, deep granuloma annulare at a single site in children. The condition has an extensive differential diagnosis that includes malignant tumours; in addition, histological confirmation is normally essential. Treatment is not qualified and therapeutic extension with clinical monitoring alone may frequently be recommended.