Case report: Periorbital pilomatricoma: a rare benign skin tumor misdiagnosed as cellulitis.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-2025
Publication Title
Front Ophthalmol (Lausanne)
Abstract
PURPOSE: We describe an unusual case of a rapidly progressive pilomatricoma along the left brow, which was initially misdiagnosed and treated as preseptal cellulitis. Although rare, pilomatricomas and other adnexal tumors should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a growing mass near the brow.
CASE PRESENTATION: A 29-year-old male presented to the emergency department with a progressively enlarging left brow lesion, initially noted 3 weeks prior. Exam revealed an erythematous left subbrow mass that measured 2.5 x 2 cm, with resultant mechanical ptosis. The lesion was initially misdiagnosed and treated as preseptal cellulitis, with concern for abscess. The patient ultimately underwent excisional biopsy of the lesion and pathology revealed pilomatricoma.
CONCLUSIONS: Pilomatricoma has similarities to more common skin lesions. Lack of pain or tenderness are important clues against an infectious or inflammatory etiology. Complete surgical excision is therapeutic and allows for diagnostic confirmation. Histopathology is required to rule out pilomatrix carcinoma, a malignant variant.
Volume
5
First Page
1503693
Recommended Citation
Kumar R, Spadaro JZ, Kahana A. Case report: periorbital pilomatricoma: a rare benign skin tumor misdiagnosed as cellulitis. Front Ophthalmol (Lausanne). 2025 Jan 23;5:1503693. doi: 10.3389/fopht.2025.1503693. PMID: 39926619
DOI
10.3389/fopht.2025.1503693
ISSN
2674-0826
PubMed ID
39926619