Ulcerated juvenile xanthogranuloma of the scalp

Abstract

A 7-month-old girl presented with a single rapidly enlarging thickly crusted lesion on her frontal scalp. Histology was consistent with a juvenile xanthogranuloma (JXG) with ulceration and surface crust formation. Reports of ulcerating, crusted lesions of JXG are rare and the few reports have been confined to giant forms or those involving mucosal sites. This unusual presentation delayed diagnosis. Our report highlights the great variability in clinical presentation of JXG and is a reminder to consider this diagnosis in the differential of any lesion developing in an infant, particularly on the head, neck and upper trunk.