[Is Malherbe calcifying epithelioma in the ENT area of a rare tumor?]

The calcifying epithelioma (pilomatrixoma) is a benign tumour of the skin originating from hair sheath cells. The head, especially the cheek and preauricular region with the parotid gland, is a very common site (about 50%). The tumour arises predominantly in younger people, with a 2:1 female to male ratio. It is not so rare as suggested by the few ENT publications. The histologic picture shows two characteristic epithelial cells, the basophilic and ghost cell. Calcification is present in most cases. The prognosis after removal of the tumour is good. Two personal cases are reported, multiple pilomatrixomas on the cheek of an 12 year old girl, and a tumour on the auricle, an unusual site.