Pilomatricoma of the head and neck: a retrospective review of 179 cases.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the clinical presentations and management of pilomatricoma, formerly known as pilomatrixoma, of the head and neck.

DESIGN

Retrospective study.

SETTING

Tertiary care center.

PATIENTS: The study included 179 patients with a diagnosis of pilomatricoma of the head and neck.

INTERVENTION: All patients underwent surgical excision for pilomatricoma of the head and neck between 1991 and 2002.

RESULTS

Pilomatricoma occurred at any age (mean age, 29.8 years); 45.3% of the cases occurred in patients younger than 18 years. The female-male ratio was 0.97:1. The average size of the lesion was 1 cm. The most common sites of occurrence were the neck (30.2%), cheeks (16.8%), scalp (16.2%), and brow and periorbital area (14.0%). Multiple occurrence was found in 1 case. Two of 179 tumors recurred after surgical excision.

CONCLUSIONS

Because preoperative diagnosis of pilomatricoma is usually incorrect, careful clinical examination and a high index of suspicion would result in a more accurate diagnosis. Complete surgical excision is the treatment of choice. Otolaryngologists should consider pilomatricoma in the differential diagnosis of neck masses.