Autosomal dominantly inherited generalized basaloid follicular hamartoma syndrome: report of a new disease in a North Carolina family

Abstract

Background: An 8-year-old girl presented with hundreds of milia, measuring 1 to 2 mm; comedone-like lesions; skin-colored and hyperpigmented papules on the face, scalp, ears, neck, upper trunk, and lower arms along with diffuse scalp hypotrichosis; and pinpoint palm/sole pits. Onset was in early childhood and the disease was historically present in 6 generations.

Objective: Our objectives were to delineate the clinical and histopathologic features and mode of inheritance as a base for gene studies.

Methods: Eighteen family subjects were studied. Twenty-six skin biopsy specimens were examined. A detailed pedigree was constructed. A complete literature search was done concerning diseases with generalized basaloid follicular hamartomas.

Results: The lesions were basaloid follicular hamartomas and other folliculocentric abnormalities. Inheritance was autosomal dominant. Extensive literature search confirmed the finding of a unique genodermatosis.

Conclusion: A new genodermatosis termed dominantly inherited generalized basaloid follicular hamartoma syndrome was defined by delineating its clinical and histopathologic features and mode of inheritance and by extensive literature review.