[Syringomas. Presentation of 7 cases]

To further knowledge of syringoma and its importance within the overall condition of the patient, with a view to making it relevant in the differential diagnosis of other conditions such as xanthomata or milium cysts.

A descriptive study of a crossover type.

Primary care and the dermatology clinic of a health centre in the metropolitan area of Madrid.

The records of patients with syringomas confirmed by histological tests during 1990-1993 were examined. Patients with only a clinical diagnosis were discarded. The different diagnoses on referral by the primary care doctor were also studied.

Seven patients (5 women, two men) were confirmed by histological tests as suffering Syringomas. They were between 16 and 52 years old. Four had lesions only on the eyelids; in the other three they were widespread. All of them were asymptomatic, had been over three years without lesions and had no special previous history. None of them wanted to undergo treatment. The referral diagnoses cited xanthomata in five cases and milium cysts in the others.

The primary care doctor must become better informed about syringoma, given its frequent confusion with other conditions (xanthomata and milium cysts). This confusion gives rise to unnecessary additional examinations and discomfort for the patients. These lesions should be verified histologically, as it is an nonaggressive method.