Recurrent pilomatricoma of the thigh: An unusual site of presentation

Abstract

Pilomatricoma is a benign tumor of the hair matrix. It is also known as calcifying epithelioma of Malherbe and is commonly located in head, neck, and upper extremities. A 10-year-old female patient presented with a solitary skin-colored firm nodule on her left mid-thigh which progressed to 1.5 cm diameter within 4 months. Surgical excision had been conducted 1 year ago at the same site. Clinical examination revealed a single, firm, well-circumscribed, non-tender, freely mobile nodule with irregular surface and hyperpigmented borders including surrounding skin. Histopathological examination showed dermis displaying benign adnexal tumor tissue with sheets of ghost cells, clusters of basaloid cells, and extensive areas of dystrophic calcification. Histopathological confirmation prior excision should be ideally performed. Although the tumor is most common in head and neck region, clinicians should be aware that tumors can arise rarely in the lower limbs as well.

Keywords

• Calcifying epithelioma of Malherbe
• lower limb
• pilomatricoma
• unusual site