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Post-traumatic pilomatricoma presenting as rapidly enlarging pediatric scalp mass
Taylor M Wallworth1, Christopher Husson2, Dustin Roberie2
1School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA.
Insights
Pilomatricomas (PM), common pediatric skin tumors, can present unusually. This case highlights rapid growth and trauma history, mimicking other conditions.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Pediatric Pathology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Pilomatricomas (PM) are benign neoplasms originating from hair follicle matrix cells.
- They represent a frequent cause of excised pediatric skin masses, typically presenting as slow-growing, painless, firm, superficial lesions on the head and neck.
Observation:
- A preschool-aged girl presented with a rapidly enlarging scalp mass after minor blunt trauma.
- The lesion, initially small, grew to the size of a ping pong ball over two months.
- This rapid progression and trauma history broadened the differential diagnosis.
Findings:
- Extensive workup, including sonography, CT, MRI, and biopsy, was performed.
- The final pathological diagnosis confirmed the lesion as pilomatricoma.
- The case displayed atypical features of rapid enlargement and a preceding trauma history.
Implications:
- Atypical pilomatricomas can mimic various pediatric scalp pathologies.
- Radiologists utilizing sonography may be the first to suspect pilomatricoma in unusual presentations.
- Understanding typical imaging findings is crucial for diagnosing rare pilomatricoma cases.
Abstract:
Pilomatricomas (PM) are benign neoplasms that arise from hair follicle matrix cells. They are one of the most frequently excised pediatric skin masses. A typical clinical presentation is a slow growing, painless, firm, superficial mass in the head and neck of a child. We present a rare presentation of PM. A preschool aged girl presented with an enlarging scalp mass following a history of minor blunt trauma to the area. Two months prior, the child sustained a ground level fall and subsequently developed a painless "bump" at the site of injury on the scalp. The ``bump" was initially the size of a "mosquito bite" and enlarged to the size of a "ping pong ball". Given the rapid progression and history of trauma, there was a broad differential diagnosis. An extensive workup including sonography, computed tomography, MRI, and biopsy were performed. The final pathologic diagnosis was confirmed as pilomatricoma. An atypical presentation of PM in a child can mimic a wide variety of pathology. Our case demonstrates unusual features of rapid enlargement and preceding trauma. With the widespread use of sonography for evaluation of superficial lesions, the radiologist may be the first to suspect the diagnosis of PM. Knowledge of the typical imaging findings in PM can be valuable, especially in more unusual cases.

