Head and neck pilomatrixoma in children.
OBJECTIVE
To provide a review of the current information on the etiology, clinical presentation, management, and outcome of pilomatrixoma of the head and neck in children.


METHODS
Retrospective review.


METHODS
A tertiary care pediatric center.


METHODS
Fifty-one pediatric patients with a diagnosis of pilomatrixoma of the head and neck.


METHODS
All patients underwent excision of pilomatrixoma from January 1997 to March 1999. A total of 55 tumors were studied.


RESULTS
A preponderance of girls (n = 36; 71%) presented with this condition. The average age at diagnosis was 5.7 years, and the average size of the lesion was 1 cm. The skin of the cheek and the periorbital area were the most commonly involved sites. Only 27 lesions (49%) had a correct preoperative diagnosis. Two (4%) of 55 tumors recurred after complete surgical excision.


METHODS
The age and sex of the patient, preoperative diagnosis, time elapsed before diagnosis, site and size of the tumor, length of follow-up, presence of multiple or previous pilomatrixomas, and recurrence.


CONCLUSIONS
Preoperative diagnosis may be improved with increased awareness of pilomatrixoma, a common, benign skin tumor in children. Clinical findings will aid in an accurate diagnosis. Recurrence after complete local excision is rare.
Danielson-Cohen
A
A
Department of Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery, University of Illinois Hospital at Chicago, USA.
Lin
S J
SJ
Hughes
C A
CA
An
Y H
YH
Maddalozzo
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006201:Hair Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D018296:Pilomatrixoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery