Congenital atrophic plaque

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Pathology
• Oncology

Background:

• A congenital lesion present since birth in a pediatric patient.
• The lesion exhibited progressive growth with age.

Observation:

• A 30 x 43 mm, depressed, atrophic plaque on the back.
• Differential diagnoses included macular atrophy, congenital melanocytic nevus, and mastocytosis.

Findings:

• Histopathology revealed dermal infiltrates of oval to spindle cells with associated nerve fibers.
• Tumor cells were negative for S-100 protein, HMB-45, and other markers.
• The findings suggested a melanocytic or neurogenic tumor, but a definitive diagnosis was inconclusive.

Implications:

• The case highlights diagnostic challenges in differentiating rare skin tumors.
• Further investigation may be needed for definitive diagnosis and management.
• Understanding such lesions contributes to the broader knowledge of pediatric dermatopathology.