The common ultrasonographic features of pilomatricoma

Ji Young Hwang, Sun Wha Lee, Sang Min Lee

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

88 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objectives. The purpose of this series was to describe typical ultrasonographic features of 20 cases of pilomatricoma and to improve its diagnostic rate with the use of an ultrasonographic approach. Methods. For 20 pilomatricomas in 19 patients with preoperative ultrasonography from 1995 to 2004, we reviewed age, sex, symptoms, duration, referring clinician, and tumor sites. The ultrasonographic findings were retrospectively analyzed for tumor location, shape, size, margin, echo texture, echogenicity, presence, amount, and shape of calcification, presence of a hypoechoic rim, and Doppler flow pattern. Results. The mean age of the 19 patients was 6.9 years (range, 1-21 years), and the female-male ratio was 1.1:1. Patients had a painful palpable mass in 10 cases (50%). Nine lesions occurred in the neck, 5 in the cheek, 2 in the preauricular region, and 4 in the extremity. All tumors were located in the subcutaneous layer. The mean size of the tumors was 13.4 mm. Fourteen pilomatricomas (70%) appeared as well-defined oval masses. Tumors were heterogeneously hyperechoic in 80% of cases. All tumors had internal echogenic foci. A hypoechoic rim was seen in 17 cases (85%). Doppler flow signals were observed in the peripheral region in 14 cases (70%). A correct preoperative diagnosis was made in 33% on the basis of clinical findings and in 76% by ultrasonography. Conclusions. Diagnosis of pilomatricoma should be considered when a well-defined mass with inner echogenic foci and a peripheral hypoechoic rim or a completely echogenic mass with strong posterior acoustic shadowing in the subcutaneous layer of the head, neck, or extremity is found on ultrasonography.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1397-1402
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Ultrasound in Medicine
Volume24
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2005

Keywords

  • Calcifying epithelioma
  • Diagnosis
  • Pilomatricoma
  • Ultrasonography

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The common ultrasonographic features of pilomatricoma'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this