Dermoscopy of facial angiofibromas in Fitzpatrick II‐III phototype subjects affected by tuberous sclerosis complex

Abstract

Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) is an autosomal dominant multisystemic syndrome with a wide range of clinical features. [1][2][3] The diagnosis is generally easy and is usually based on the recognition during infancy of typical cutaneous and neurologic signs. However, skin lesions may show different age of onset and severity making the diagnosis more difficult. [1][2][3] In case of mild disease, TSC may remain unknown for years.Facial angiofibromas (FAs) are benign hamartomatous skin growths occurring in nearly 75% of patients with TSC. 4,5 They appear as reddish, fibrous, dome-shaped papules mainly involving the central area of the face (especially around nasolabial folds). The usual onset is between ages 2 and 5 years. 2,4 The identification of FAs is important as they may represent the sign of a TSC not yet diagnosed. Although one or two isolated sporadic lesions may be observed within the general population, F I G U R E 1 (A-D) Facial angiofibromas in four children affected by tuberous sclerosis complex: reddish, dome-shaped papules mainly involving the central area of the face.