A Case of Herpetiform Appearance of Digital Mucous Cysts

Abstract

Department of Dermatology, Guri Hospital, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Guri, KoreaA digital mucous cyst (DMC) is clinically characterized by a round to oval, translucent, smooth nodule localized to the dorsal aspect of the distal digits near the distal interphalangeal joint. It usually presents as a solitary lesion, and multiple lesions are uncommon. An 88-year-old man presented with herpetiform translucent papules on the right thumb. We first diagnosed the lesion as molluscum contagiosum or herpetic whitlow. Histopathology showed a cystic space containing mucinous material and numerous fibroblasts surrounded by mucinous stroma in the upper dermis. The lining of the cyst wall was not apparent and mucinous material was stained with Alcian blue, indicating a diagnosis of DMC. (Ann Dermatol 22(2) 194∼195, 2010)

Dermatoscopic pattern of digital mucous cyst: report of three cases

“…The diagnosis of digital mucous cyst is usually clinical and straightforward. Unusual locations or presentations, however, may be difficult to identify [ 3 ]. Digital mucous cysts are usually solitary, round-to-oval, dome-shaped, firm-to-fluctuant papules or nodules, measuring 1–10 mm in diameter that have overlying skin that ranges from very thin to moderately thick.…”

“…Usually the clinical diagnosis is straightforward, though sometimes it may mimic other lesions and diagnosis becomes a challenge [2,3]. Dermatoscopy may be helpful in the clinical recognition of these benign lesions.…”

“…Digital mucous cysts are benign ganglion cysts of the digits typically located at the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints or in the proximal nail fold [ 1 ]. Usually the clinical diagnosis is straightforward, though sometimes it may mimic other lesions and diagnosis becomes a challenge [ 2 , 3 ]. Dermatoscopy may be helpful in the clinical recognition of these benign lesions.…”

Digital Mucous Cyst: A Clinical-Surgical Study

“…Patients often complain of annoying mass that with gelatinous discharge upon squeezing or minor trauma. DMCs occurs as solitary, round to oval, skin colored cystic nodular lesion on the digits of the hand 1 2 3 10 .…”

“…It has been suggested that there are two histologic types in DMCs, the myxomatous type and the ganglion type. The former is located near the nail fold and the latter is located near the joint 10 11 16 . The current study shows that the location of DMCs and the histologic types did not always match.…”