Painful, pigmented lymphadenopathy secondary to decorative tattooing

Pigmented lymph nodes are traditionally associated with melanoma and metastatic malignancy. This report describes the case of 22-year-old white man, who presented with painful right groin lymphadenopathy. Groin ultrasound and computed tomography confirmed an enlarged (2 cm) right inguinal lymph node. Elective excision of this lymph node was conducted due to unresolving pain, and a pigmented node was retrieved. Although a suspicious finding, histologic examination demonstrated black pigment infiltration from a decorative tattoo on the right leg. Unresolving, painful, pigmented lymphadenopathy can result from decorative tattooing. Selective excision of the affected lymph node and histologic examination result in symptom resolution and can aide in appropriate diagnosis.