Pilomatrixoma in età pediatrica

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. A retrospective case note review of patients who had pilomatrixoma excised from 1997 to 2002 in a tertiary referral children's hospital at the University of Siena. From 32 patients with an unclear tumor of the skin, in 9 cases pilomatrixomata were excised. The diagnosis was achieved preoperatively in 28% of patients. Other diagnoses included sebaceous and dermoid cysts (38%), and lipomas (34%). 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.