Melanotrichoblastoma: a rare pigmented variant of trichoblastoma

Trichoblastomas are rare cutaneous tumors arising from the hair bulb and mesenchyme. Although they are benign, they can pose a diagnostic dilemma for the clinician and pathologist because they clinically and histologically mimic more common lesions such as basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) and trichoepitheliomas. It is important for the clinician and pathologist to be aware of such tumors and their variants. We present a case of a melanotrichoblastoma, an exceedingly rare variant of trichoblastoma, as well as review the current literature on the clinical presentation and histologic differentiation of these unique tumors with their more commonly seen mimics.