Fine needle aspiration cytology of pilomatrixoma

Abstract

Aim:To delineate and characterize the cytomorphologic features of pilomatrixoma (PMX) helpful in correct diagnosis of the lesion on fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC).Materials and Methods:Archival records of clinical findings, FNAC and histopathological reports of PMX cases were analyzed. Aspirate findings in 14 cases of PMX were correlated with detailed clinical data and subsequent histopathology on excisional biopsy. Different morphological findings were graded semiquantitatively from 0 to 3+.Results:The series showed female preponderance, with head and neck being the commonest site. Majority patients had a single tumor with mean size of 1.6 cm. Out of 14 biopsy proven cases of PMX, cytology findings revealed PMX in 7 cases on the basis of ghost cells, groups of basaloid cells, squamous cells in combination with multinucleated giant cells and calcium deposits in a background of debris. The main reasons for erroneous diagnosis were predominance of one component over the others and non-representative aspirated material.Conclusions:The cytological features of PMX are characteristic and allow a conclusive diagnosis provided the smears are examined keenly bearing in mind the diagnostic traps that can mislead a cytopathologist.

Benign proliferative pilomatricoma over sternum: a rare case

“…5,6 It may occur at any age, however they are mostly seen either in children under 10 years of age or within the second decade of life. 7 There is slight female preponderance. CTNNB1 gene have been demnonstrated in pilomatricoma indicating a betacatenin misregulation.…”

“…Differential diagnosis include epidermal cyst, dermoid cyst, sebaceous cyst, sebaceous adenoma or carcinoma, capillary hemangioma, rhabdomyosarcoma, basal cell tumor, squamous cell tumor etc. 9,10 Histologically, pilomatricoma is composed of well circumscribed round islands giving a lobulated shape. The cells are broadly organised into two types, the outer and inner cells.…”

Rare Presentations of Pilomatricoma : Our Experience in a Tertiary Care Hospital

“…[1] The most common sites involved in this tumor are the head and neck region, followed by the upper extremities, trunk, and the lower extremities. [2,3,8] This tumor usually occurs in children younger than 10 years of age and also in the second decade of life. [9] They are more commonly seen in women.…”

“…[10] Clinically, this tumor presents as a soft to firm subcutaneous mass with intact overlying skin with average size 1.6cm. [8] Correct clinical diagnosis is very rare and differential diagnosis includes epidermal cyst, dermoid cyst, cysticercosis, sebaceous cyst, sebaceous adenoma or carcinoma, capillary hemangioma, chalazion, rhabdomyosarcoma, and so on. [2,8,11] Pilomatricomas usually are asymptomatic (pain appears only with associated inflammation and ulceration); deeply seated, firm, non-tender subcutaneous masses adherent to the skin but not fixed to the underlying tissue.…”

“…[8] Correct clinical diagnosis is very rare and differential diagnosis includes epidermal cyst, dermoid cyst, cysticercosis, sebaceous cyst, sebaceous adenoma or carcinoma, capillary hemangioma, chalazion, rhabdomyosarcoma, and so on. [2,8,11] Pilomatricomas usually are asymptomatic (pain appears only with associated inflammation and ulceration); deeply seated, firm, non-tender subcutaneous masses adherent to the skin but not fixed to the underlying tissue. Stretching of the skin over the tumor shows the "tent sign" with multiple facets and angles, a pathognomonic sign for pilomatricoma.…”