[Juvenile xanthogranuloma of the auricle]

Juvenile xanthogranulomas are rare benign tumors of histiocytic origin with cutaneous manifestation predominantly in the head and neck. A case of a 12-month-old girl is presented.

A tumor of the inferior crus of the left auricle had been noticed three weeks after birth. It was of yellowish color, bosselated and firm, and not mobile. During operation the tumor seemed lipomatoid and affected both cutis and subcutis. Histologically cutaneous structures were regular. Subcutaneously, cell-rich connective tissue with foamy histiocytes and Touton giant cells were observed as characteristic features of a juvenile xanthogranuloma.

The pathogenesis of this tumor is unclear. The definite diagnosis is established by histological examination. Histological differentiation should include malignant tumors of histiocytic origin (dermatofibro-sarcoma protuberans, histiocytoma, atypical fibrous histiocytoma, fibro-xanthosarcoma) and malignant melanoma. Surgery is the treatment of choice only in cases in which the clinical diagnosis is doubtful, since juvenile xanthogranulomas usually heal spontaneously.