Cutaneous leiomyoma in a child: a case report

Abstract

Leiomyoma is a benign tumour commonly encountered in the genitourinary and gastrointestinal organs in adults. Cutaneous leiomyomas are rare benign tumors arising from the arrector pili muscle of hair follicles. Cutaneous leiomyomas are more likely to occur in adults than in children. We describe a case of a 10-year-old female who presented with multiple, firm, red-brown masses on the back. A punch biopsy was performed. Under high-power examination, spindle cells with an eosinophilic cytoplasm were observed and immunohistochemical studies were performed; the cells stained strongly positive for smooth muscle actin (SMA). the patient was subsequently diagnosed with pilar leiomyoma and referred to a plastic surgeon for surgical treatment. Although cutaneous leiomyoma is a rare disorder, we identified a case of pilar leiomyoma in a young female. A careful clinical assessment led to the correct diagnosis and therapy in the present case. We propose that leiomyoma ought to be considered in the differential diagnosis of any cutaneous or mucosal mass in children.