Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 29, 2025

Author Spotlight: Anterior HR-OCT as a Non-Invasive Tool for Characterizing Ocular Surface Squamous Neoplasia
Published on: August 9, 2024
Commonly Misdiagnosed Facial Lesion: Pilomatricoma
Tan Ying Xin1, Jeyasakthy Saniasiaya2, Jeyanthi Kulasegarah1
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Jalan Universiti, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, WP Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Abstract:
Pilomatricoma, also known as Pilamatrixoma or Malherbe's calcifying epithelioma, is a benign skin tumour with a bimodal age distribution between the paediatric and elderly age groups. Although it was previously thought to be rare, recent studies have revealed that it is quite common. Typically, pilomatricoma is diagnosed following histopathological examination of the lesion as it is frequently misdiagnosed with other types of skin pathology. In our case, the child presented with painless swelling of the left infraauricular region. The initial cytology and imaging were unable to provide a definite diagnosis. An excision biopsy was done, and a histopathological examination was suggestive of Pilomatricoma. Therefore, Pilomatricoma ought to be considered in the differential diagnosis of head and neck lesions in hopes of providing a better understanding on this pathological lesion.
Related Concept Videos
Skin Cancer
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): BCC is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 80% of cases. It typically develops in...
Skin Diseases and Disorders
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
The Retinoblastoma Gene
The first-ever tumor suppressor gene called Rb was identified in retinoblastoma - a rare eye tumor in children. In inherited forms of the disease, a child inherits one defective copy of the Rb gene, which predisposes them to retinoblastoma. However,...

