Multiple pilomatricomas in association with spina bifida

Syndromes associated with multiple pilomatricomas: When should clinicians be concerned?

BACKGROUND

Multiple pilomatricomas have been linked to various syndromes. However, these associations are poorly defined, leaving practitioners conflicted on management of these patients.

OBJECTIVE

To perform a comprehensive review to clarify the strength of these relationships and identify which patients may benefit from additional screening and/or genetic screening.

METHODS

A literature search was performed using the PubMed, Ovid, and Cochrane databases. Syndromic, familial, and sporadic cases of multiple pilomatricomas were stratified based on number of pilomatricomas. This information was graphed for visual comparison.

RESULTS

Sixty-six syndromic cases from 52 publications were identified, with the majority (54) of cases representing myotonic dystrophy, familial adenomatous polyposis-related syndromes (including Gardner syndrome), Turner syndrome, or Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome. Twenty-five of the 54 cases (46.3%) had six or more pilomatricomas. Of sporadic cases, 128 out of 134 (95.5%) had five or less pilomatricomas.

LIMITATIONS

Most articles were case reports and series, which are vulnerable to publication bias. Specific details were not explicitly noted in some original articles, and incomplete data could not always be included in analysis. Syndromes may have been missed in sporadic cases.

CONCLUSION

The presence of six or more pilomatricomas is highly suggestive of an underlying syndrome (>95% specificity). These patients should undergo additional screening. Patients with less than six pilomatricomas and family history of myotonic dystrophy, first-degree relative with colon cancer or FAP-related syndrome, or family history of pilomatricomas should also undergo further screening.

Pilomatrixoma: A Comprehensive Review of the Literature

INTRODUCTION

Pilomatrixoma, also known as calcifying epithelioma of Malherbe, is a superficial benign skin tumor that arises from hair follicle matrix cells. Although pilomatrixomas are well-recognized lesions, clinically they are frequently misdiagnosed as other skin conditions. By reviewing all the literature over the past 10 years, the aims of this article are to analyze the cause, clinical presentation, management, and outcome of pilomatrixoma among children and adults to gain a more complete understanding of this lesion in today's clinical context.

METHODS

A MEDLINE and EMBASE search was conducted from January 2005 to February 2015 using a combination of the terms: "child," "childhood," "adult," and keywords: "pilomatrixoma," "pilomatricoma," and "calcifying epithelioma of Malherbe." A total of 150 articles were reviewed.

RESULTS

The lesions occurred most commonly in the first and second decades (mean age 16 years and 7 months). The commonest presentation was of an asymptomatic, firm, slowly growing, mobile nodule. Only 16% were accurately diagnosed on clinical examination. Imaging in the form of ultrasound, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging has been reported. Pathological diagnosis was achieved through incision, punch, and shave biopsies. Pathological findings are discussed and summarized in this review.

CONCLUSION

Pilomatrixomas are thought to arise from mutation in the Wnt pathway and has been linked to several genetic conditions. It is commonly misdiagnosed preoperatively; however, with better awareness of the lesion, it can be appropriately treated while avoiding unnecessary diagnostic tests. Complete surgical excision with clear margins is almost always curative.

Multiple Pilomatricomas: A Retrospective Study and Literature Review

Pilomatricoma is usually a single lesion. However, some patients present with more than one, a fact that has been reported in association with several systemic diseases. The aim of this analysis is to determine the prevalence of multiple pilomatricomas (MP) in our institution as well as to describe their clinical features and associated comorbidities. This is a retrospective analysis reviewing patients with a histological diagnosis of pilomatricoma registered in the database of the Pathology Department of our institution, from January 2005 to March 2017. One hundred ninety-five patients with histological criteria for pilomatricoma were registered. Fourteen (0.7%) of those patients suffered from MP. Among them, the most relevant findings were: 9 (64%) patients were women and 5 (36%) were men. The median age at diagnosis was 16 years. Seven (50%) had 2 pilomatricomas and 7 (50%) had more than 2. Two (14%) suffered from Steinert myotonic dystrophy (SMD). Regarding family background, 3 of them had relatives with pilomatricomas, one of them with pancreatic cancer, and another one with SMD. A total of 36 pilomatricomas were excised from those 14 patients with the following characteristics: The mean lesion size was 12 mm. The majority of the lesions (53%) were located on the head and neck. There was no recurrence or malignant transformation in any patient. Articles reporting on MP are scarce. We communicate 2 new familial MP without associated comorbidities. We would like to highlight that 2 of our patients with MP also developed SMD, an association previously reported. Thus, a thorough physical examination and inquiring about family history are of utmost importance for an early diagnosis of possible associated diseases.

Familial papular epidermal nevus with "skyline" basal cell layer and multiple pilomatricomas: A new association?

Papular epidermal nevus with "skyline" basal cell layer is a newly described keratinocytic nevus. Recently, papular epidermal nevus with "skyline" basal cell layer has been reported in association with extracutaneous involvement, and the term papular epidermal nevus with "skyline" basal cell layer syndrome is used to indicate a neurocutaneous syndrome characterized by the presence of papular epidermal nevus with "skyline" basal cell layer and different neurologic symptoms that seem to improve during infancy and adolescence. Multiple pilomatricomas have been reported in association with various syndromes. We report herein papular epidermal nevus with "skyline" basal cell layer associated with multiple pilomatricomas in two members of a family with the aim of drawing attention to this peculiar epidermal nevus to improve our knowledge of the syndrome.

Multiple familial pilomatrixomas in three generations: an unusual clinical picture

Pilomatrixomas are benign cutaneous tumors derived from hair matrix cells of unclear etiology. Pilomatrixomas commonly demonstrate somatic mutations in CTNNB1, a gene coding β-catenin, a protein involved with hair follicle development. Multiple familial pilomatrixomas rarely occur and are most often associated with autosomal dominant conditions such as myotonic dystrophy and familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). Nine families with multiple familial pilomatrixomas and no demonstrable underlying association have been reported in the literature. We present a tenth family in which five members spanning three generations grew multiple pilomatrixomas in the absence of any previously reported associations. No evidence of myotonic dystrophy, FAP, or other known associations was found. Extreme tiredness, behavioral problems, and sensory disturbances were common features across three generations but bore no temporal relation to the pilomatrixomas. The existence of a germline mutation in CTNNB1 to explain these symptoms has yet to be shown. Pilomatrixomas are potentially cutaneous markers of significant underlying pathologies. Patients presenting with multiple or familial pilomatrixomas should be thoroughly assessed for other pathologies and offered genetic screening to ensure that important diagnoses are not overlooked.

Multiple pilomatricomas in Kabuki syndrome

Pilomatricoma is a benign tumor of the hair matrix cell that presents predominantly in childhood. Although pilomatricoma occurs spontaneously, multiple pilomatricomas have been described in association with several inherited syndromes. We report on a 28-year-old man with Kabuki syndrome with three pilomatricomas in his head and thigh. Although several reports describe multiple pilomatricomas associated with Turner syndrome, there are no reports of multiple pilomatricomas combined with Kabuki syndrome. Ectodermal abnormalities such as hair abnormality and hirsutism are symptoms of Kabuki syndrome, and pilomatricomas are frequently associated with the mutations of beta-catenin in hair follicle development. The predisposition of pilomatricomas may be not merely a coincidental finding, but an added association with Kabuki syndrome.

Pilomatricomas in Turner syndrome

Pilomatricomas are benign, cutaneous tumors of the hair matrix cells, which present predominantly in childhood. Although usually an isolated finding, they have been described in association with several inherited conditions. We report a 10-year-old girl with Turner syndrome who has two pilomatricomas, including one giant tumor. In combination with a previous report of pilomatricoma in two patients with Turner syndrome, our observation indicates that it is likely a real, although uncommon, association of pilomatricomas with Turner syndrome exists. This apparent predisposition may be etiologically related to the abnormalities of hair-bearing skin observed in Turner syndrome. Doctors involved in the diagnosis and management of cutaneous masses in children should be aware of this association.