Pilomatricoma of the head and neck: a retrospective review of 179 cases.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the clinical presentations and management of pilomatricoma, formerly known as pilomatrixoma, of the head and neck.


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
Tertiary care center.


METHODS
The study included 179 patients with a diagnosis of pilomatricoma of the head and neck.


METHODS
All patients underwent surgical excision for pilomatricoma of the head and neck between 1991 and 2002.


RESULTS
Pilomatricoma occurred at any age (mean age, 29.8 years); 45.3% of the cases occurred in patients younger than 18 years. The female-male ratio was 0.97:1. The average size of the lesion was 1 cm. The most common sites of occurrence were the neck (30.2%), cheeks (16.8%), scalp (16.2%), and brow and periorbital area (14.0%). Multiple occurrence was found in 1 case. Two of 179 tumors recurred after surgical excision.


CONCLUSIONS
Because preoperative diagnosis of pilomatricoma is usually incorrect, careful clinical examination and a high index of suspicion would result in a more accurate diagnosis. Complete surgical excision is the treatment of choice. Otolaryngologists should consider pilomatricoma in the differential diagnosis of neck masses.
Lan
Ming-Ying
MY
Department of Otolaryngology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, 201 Shih-Pai Road, Sector 2, Taipei 112, Taiwan. mylan@vghtpe.gov.tw
Lan
Ming-Chin
MC
Ho
Ching-Yin
CY
Li
Wing-Yin
WY
Lin
Ching-Zong
CZ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006201:Hair Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000453:epidemiology; D018579:Patient Selection; D018296:Pilomatrixoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome