Pilomatricoma: Sonographic features

Pilomatricomas (also known as calcifying epitheliomas of Malherbe) are benign subcutaneous tumors that arise from the cutaneous adnexa and usually affect young subjects. They typically present as solitary asymptomatic nodules located in most cases on the face or neck. On ultrasonography, pilomatricomas appear as hypoechoic lesions with inhomogeneous echo structures, well-defined margins, and posterior shadowing. Color Doppler generally reveals a single artery that penetrates the lesion and gives rise to multiple intralesional branches. Diagnosis is based on clinical and histological findings. The authors present a typical case of pilomatricoma diagnosed on the basis of clinical and sonographic findings that were subsequently confirmed by histology.