Head and neck pilomatricoma in the pediatric age group: a retrospective study and literature review

Abstract

Objective: To discuss the clinical course and management of pilomatricoma involving the head and neck in the pediatric age group and to review the literature.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of the author's case files between the years of 1996 and 2000, revealed seven cases of head and neck pilomatricoma involving children. A literature review was employed to compare this study to others.

Results: In all cases, the presenting sign was a superficially located rock-hard mass in the head and neck. The mean duration the mass was present at the initial otolaryngologic evaluation was 11 months. There was a total of seven patients of which five (71%) were female while two (29%) were male. Each patient presented with a single pilomatricoma. Five (71%) occurred in the neck while two (29%) occurred in the face. All were treated with surgical excision. There were no recurrences.

Conclusion: Pilomatricoma is a rare, benign, skin neoplasm that is superficially located and most commonly occurs in the head and neck, thus otolaryngologists should be aware of its clinical presentation. Although malignant transformation has been described, it is exceedingly rare. Diagnosis is usually suspected based on palpation of a superficial, rock-hard mass and confirmed by histopathologic examination. Since this neoplasm doesn't spontaneously regress, surgical excision is both curative and the treatment of choice. Recurrence is rare.