title: Characteristics of pilomatrixoma in children: a review of 137 patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe our institutional experience with pilomatrixoma in the pediatric population, specifically examining its clinical presentation, associated conditions, surgical treatment and future implications.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a retrospective review of a single tertiary care center. Subjects included 137 patients with diagnosis of pilomatrixoma between the years of 2000 and 2013 up to the age of 19. Patient gender, age at excision, number of tumors, tumor size, tumor location, preoperative diagnosis, recurrence, patient race and zip code, along with associated medical conditions were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were a total of 174 tumors in 137 patients. The median age at excision was 7.1 years old, with the youngest patient at 6 months and the oldest at 19 years. Head and neck tumors predominated with 70% (n=122) of all pilomatrixomas, followed by the upper extremity with 22% (38). Other locations included the hair-bearing back, chest and lower extremities. A male to female ration of 1:1.2 was observed. Tumor diameter size ranged from 0.2 to 5.2 cm with an average diameter of 1.4 cm. There were no cases of recurrence. Associated diagnoses included Turner syndrome and Sticker syndrome.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pilomatrixoma, previously thought to be a rare lesion, is one of the most common causes of superficial head and neck masses in children. This study demonstrates clinical presentations that should help guide differential diagnoses. We demonstrate associations that are consistent with the proposed pathophysiology of pilomatrixoma. Surgical excision is curative.
authors: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Loma Linda University Medical Center, Loma Linda, CA, USA. Electronic address: dikwon2@llu.edu.
authors: Daniel
authors: D
authors: Kwon
authors: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Loma Linda University Medical Center, Loma Linda, CA, USA.
authors: Karolina
authors: K
authors: Grekov
authors: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Loma Linda University Medical Center, Loma Linda, CA, USA.
authors: Miguel
authors: M
authors: Krishnan
authors: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Loma Linda University Medical Center, Loma Linda, CA, USA.
authors: Robin
authors: R
authors: Dyleski
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001168:Arthritis; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003095:Collagen Diseases / Q000150:complications; D003240:Connective Tissue Diseases; D005260:Female; D006201:Hair Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D018296:Pilomatrixoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012163:Retinal Detachment; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D014424:Turner Syndrome / Q000150:complications; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Benign tumor; Children; Pediatric; Pilar tumor; Pilomatricoma; Pilomatrixoma