Pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia misdiagnosed as cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma: a case report

Pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia (PEH) is a rare histopathological reaction. Cases of PEH have been infrequently reported, and it's even rare to appear as a postsurgical complication. This case report describes the development of multiple masses and purulent discharge around an abdominal scar following surgery for hepatocellular carcinoma, which morphologically resembles squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), though pathology revealed no signs of malignancy. The underlying mechanism of PEH has not been fully characterized. This case report may alert clinicians and pathologists to rare diseases and update the list of postoperative complications.