[Malherbe's calcifying epithelioma (pilomatrixoma)--own experience]

Abstract

Purpose: Malherbe's calcifying epithelioma is a rare hair matrix tumor. The objective is to present clinical cases and to analyze the variability of its image.

Material and methods: Among nearly 3500 patients with ocular tumors operated during the last 10 years in the Department of Ophthalmology and Ocular Oncology in Krakow we identified a group of 7 patients with histologically confirmed pilomatrixoma. A retrospective evaluation of their medical history was performed, paying particular attention to the co-existence of other diseases, form of growth and location of tumors, as well as treatment methods and their effectiveness. The results were compared with other clinical studies.

Results: Malherbe's calcifying epithelioma is characterized by clinical polymorphism and similarity to other much more frequent eyelid tumors. It usually has the form of a single, small, movable, slowly growing nodule covered by intact skin. In addition to the classic form described there are pediculated tumors, huge, fast-growing, perforating, as well as tumors in unusual locations and multiple lesions.

Conclusions: The consequences of variation pilomatrixoma are clinical diagnostic errors. The one, sure and reliable criterion is a histopathology evaluation.