Search

Hidrocystomas are benign cysts of sweat duct epithelium that can present as single or multiple lesions, with or without pigmentation. The size is typically 1-3mm in diameter. Although hidrocystomas commonly occur in most parts of the head and neck region, occurrence on the scalp is rare. Herein, we present a 29-year-old woman with a giant pigmented apocrine hidrocystoma of the scalp, which, to our knowledge, represents the largest of its kind reported to date.

Background: Certain histologic subtypes of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) behave more aggressively and require more aggressive treatment. Objective: The aim of this study was to see whether certain subtypes of BCC require more Mohs stages to achieve tumor-free margins. Methods: A retrospective study of 342 primary BCCs treated with Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) was performed identifying the histologic subtype of BCC present and the number of stages required to clear the tumor. Results: The aggressive subtypes (infiltrative, morpheaform, micronodular, and mixed) were most frequently found when high numbers of Mohs stages were required for cure. Conclusion: The more aggressive subtypes of BCC require more MMS stages to achieve tumor-free margins, which is consistent with the concept that these subtypes usually require more aggressive treatment from the start. (J Am Acad dermatol 1997;37:395-7.)

Tumors of the nail unit are often initially misdiagnosed or diagnosed later in their course than their skin counterparts. This is probably because the nail can obscure the lesion or many nail tumors mimic inflammatory dermatoses of the nail unit. Both benign and malignant tumors of the nail unit are described.