PILOMATRICOMA GIAI ĐOẠN SỚM: CA BỆNH HIẾM GẶP VỚI CẤU TRÚC DẠNG KÉN

Abstract

Objectives: To provide detailed guidance to support pathologists in approaching and making a final diagnosis of pilomatricoma, particularly in its early stage when the lesion can easily be mistaken for other skin tumors. Subjects and Methods: Case report. A 54-year-old female patient presented with a solitary subcutaneous nodule approximately 1 cm in diameter on the neck, with a 4-week clinical course. The nodule had well-defined borders and a firm consistency on palpation. Histopathological evaluation revealed a cystic-like structure lined by basaloid cells with a small area of transitional cells, without shadow (ghost) cells, posing difficulty in establishing a definitive histopathological diagnosis. Results: The case was definitively diagnosed as pilomatricoma after analyzing and reviewing its morphological characteristics across the four histopathological stages. This case highlights the diagnostic challenges pathologists may encounter in evaluating this not-uncommon skin tumor. We also present novel early-stage histopathologic features of pilomatricoma. Conclusion: This case raises awareness among clinicians and pathologists to avoid underestimating this not-rare but easily misdiagnosed skin tumor. It also emphasizes the importance of thorough clinical examination and microscopic evaluation across the four developmental stages of pilomatricoma, which may aid in establishing an early diagnosis.