title: Pilomatrixoma--accuracy of clinical diagnosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Pilomatrixoma is a common tumor of skin appendages in children. The aim of the study was to assess the accuracy of clinical diagnosis and factors contributing to misdiagnosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective case note review of patients who had pilomatrixoma excised during a 5-year period in a tertiary referral children's hospital in the UK.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From 75 patients, 78 pilomatrixomata were excised. The diagnosis was achieved preoperatively in 46% of patients. Other diagnoses included sebaceous and dermoid cysts, foreign body reaction, calcification in lymph gland, and fat necrosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Factors contributing to misdiagnosis include cystic lesions with varying consistency, punctum-like appearance, atypical location, and absence of clinically recognizable calcification. Despite close excision, the recurrence rate is low.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Surgery, Yorkhill Royal Hospital for Sick Children, G3 8SJ Glasgow, UK.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kumaran
authors.forename: Amir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Azmy
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Carachi
authors.forename: Peter A M
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Raine
authors.forename: Jeanette H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Macfarlane
authors.forename: Alan G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Howatson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D005153:Facial Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006201:Hair Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D018296:Pilomatrixoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery