Case report: Periorbital pilomatricoma: a rare benign skin tumor misdiagnosed as cellulitis
PurposeWe describe an unusual case of a rapidly progressive pilomatricoma along the left brow, which was initially misdiagnosed and treated as preseptal cellulitis. Although rare, pilomatricomas and other adnexal tumors should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a growing mass near the br...
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| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Ophthalmology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fopht.2025.1503693/full |
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| author | Rahul Kumar Jane Z. Spadaro Jane Z. Spadaro Alon Kahana Alon Kahana Alon Kahana |
| author_facet | Rahul Kumar Jane Z. Spadaro Jane Z. Spadaro Alon Kahana Alon Kahana Alon Kahana |
| author_sort | Rahul Kumar |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | PurposeWe describe an unusual case of a rapidly progressive pilomatricoma along the left brow, which was initially misdiagnosed and treated as preseptal cellulitis. Although rare, pilomatricomas and other adnexal tumors should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a growing mass near the brow.Case presentationA 29-year-old male presented to the emergency department with a progressively enlarging left brow lesion, initially noted 3 weeks prior. Exam revealed an erythematous left subbrow mass that measured 2.5 x 2 cm, with resultant mechanical ptosis. The lesion was initially misdiagnosed and treated as preseptal cellulitis, with concern for abscess. The patient ultimately underwent excisional biopsy of the lesion and pathology revealed pilomatricoma.ConclusionsPilomatricoma has similarities to more common skin lesions. Lack of pain or tenderness are important clues against an infectious or inflammatory etiology. Complete surgical excision is therapeutic and allows for diagnostic confirmation. Histopathology is required to rule out pilomatrix carcinoma, a malignant variant. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-09182d71696d44feb5d6bd3188c50044 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2674-0826 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Ophthalmology |
| spelling | doaj-art-09182d71696d44feb5d6bd3188c500442025-01-23T06:56:09ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Ophthalmology2674-08262025-01-01510.3389/fopht.2025.15036931503693Case report: Periorbital pilomatricoma: a rare benign skin tumor misdiagnosed as cellulitisRahul Kumar0Jane Z. Spadaro1Jane Z. Spadaro2Alon Kahana3Alon Kahana4Alon Kahana5College of Medicine, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, OH, United StatesKahana Oculoplastic and Orbital Surgery, Livonia, MI, United StatesBeaumont Eye Institute, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI, United StatesKahana Oculoplastic and Orbital Surgery, Livonia, MI, United StatesBeaumont Eye Institute, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI, United StatesDepartment of Ophthalmology, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Rochester, MI, United StatesPurposeWe describe an unusual case of a rapidly progressive pilomatricoma along the left brow, which was initially misdiagnosed and treated as preseptal cellulitis. Although rare, pilomatricomas and other adnexal tumors should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a growing mass near the brow.Case presentationA 29-year-old male presented to the emergency department with a progressively enlarging left brow lesion, initially noted 3 weeks prior. Exam revealed an erythematous left subbrow mass that measured 2.5 x 2 cm, with resultant mechanical ptosis. The lesion was initially misdiagnosed and treated as preseptal cellulitis, with concern for abscess. The patient ultimately underwent excisional biopsy of the lesion and pathology revealed pilomatricoma.ConclusionsPilomatricoma has similarities to more common skin lesions. Lack of pain or tenderness are important clues against an infectious or inflammatory etiology. Complete surgical excision is therapeutic and allows for diagnostic confirmation. Histopathology is required to rule out pilomatrix carcinoma, a malignant variant.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fopht.2025.1503693/fullorbital tumorpreseptal cellulitesfolliculomashair follicle tumorbrow and lid reconstruction |
| spellingShingle | Rahul Kumar Jane Z. Spadaro Jane Z. Spadaro Alon Kahana Alon Kahana Alon Kahana Case report: Periorbital pilomatricoma: a rare benign skin tumor misdiagnosed as cellulitis Frontiers in Ophthalmology orbital tumor preseptal cellulites folliculomas hair follicle tumor brow and lid reconstruction |
| title | Case report: Periorbital pilomatricoma: a rare benign skin tumor misdiagnosed as cellulitis |
| title_full | Case report: Periorbital pilomatricoma: a rare benign skin tumor misdiagnosed as cellulitis |
| title_fullStr | Case report: Periorbital pilomatricoma: a rare benign skin tumor misdiagnosed as cellulitis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Case report: Periorbital pilomatricoma: a rare benign skin tumor misdiagnosed as cellulitis |
| title_short | Case report: Periorbital pilomatricoma: a rare benign skin tumor misdiagnosed as cellulitis |
| title_sort | case report periorbital pilomatricoma a rare benign skin tumor misdiagnosed as cellulitis |
| topic | orbital tumor preseptal cellulites folliculomas hair follicle tumor brow and lid reconstruction |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fopht.2025.1503693/full |
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