Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 14, 2026
Combining Reflectance Confocal Microscopy with Optical Coherence Tomography for Noninvasive Diagnosis of Skin Cancers via Image Acquisition
Published on: August 18, 2022
Multiple familial trichoepithelioma: confirmation via dermoscopy
Cristián Navarrete-Dechent1, Shirin Bajaj2, Ashfaq A Marghoob2
1Department of Dermatology, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile; Melanoma and Skin Cancer Unit, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
Multiple familial trichoepithelioma, a rare benign hair follicle tumor, presents as facial papules. Dermoscopy aids diagnosis by revealing specific vascular patterns and cysts, confirming this autosomal dominant condition.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Oncology
- Genetics
Background:
- Trichoepitheliomas are rare benign neoplasms originating from hair follicles.
- Multiple familial trichoepithelioma is an autosomal dominant disorder.
- Characterized by multiple facial papules, tumors, or nodules.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the diagnostic utility of dermoscopy in multiple familial trichoepithelioma.
- To describe the characteristic dermoscopic findings associated with this condition.
Main Methods:
- Clinical examination of patients with facial papules.
- Dermoscopic evaluation of individual lesions.
- Correlation of clinical and dermoscopic findings with diagnosis.
Main Results:
- Dermoscopy revealed specific features including in-focus arborizing vessels.
- Multiple milia-like cysts and rosettes were observed.
- A whitish background was a consistent finding on dermoscopy.
Conclusions:
- Dermoscopy is a valuable tool for confirming the diagnosis of multiple trichoepithelioma.
- Characteristic dermoscopic findings support the clinical suspicion of this condition.
- Diagnosis should be considered in patients with multiple facial papules exhibiting these dermoscopic features.
