Multiple juvenile xanthogranulomas in a 13-year-old

A 13-year-old Caucasian girl presented with a 1(1/2) month history of multiple, asymptomatic, discrete, orange-yellow to skin-colored, dome-shaped, smooth, 3 to 6 mm papules on the arms, legs, trunk, and buttock. Pathology showed a dermal infiltrate of Touton-type giant cells, scattered lymphocytes, and macrophages. The patient was diagnosed with juvenile xanthogranuloma. We present this patient because of the uncommon presentation of multiple juvenile xanthogranulomas in a 13-year-old. Although juvenile xanthogranuloma generally occurs in infancy, it must be included in the differential diagnosis for an older child. This entity can less frequently occur in adults and typically a solitary lesion is found. Multiple juvenile xanthogranuloma is rare in older children and adults. Work-up should include a thorough review of systems, physical examination, and ophthalmology examination. Pediatricians and dermatologists should be aware that juvenile xanthogranulomas might occur in older children.