Steatocystoma multiplex. Report of a florid case and a review

CO2 laser therapy in a case of steatocystoma multiplex with prominent nodules on the face and neck

BACKGROUND

Steatocystoma multiplex is an uncommon disorder which usually begins in adolescence or early adult life. The condition can be hereditary, as an autosomal dominant trait, or nonhereditary, as in this case.

METHODS

A 40-year-old woman presented with a history of asymptomatic nodules that began around puberty on the face. There was no family history of similar lesions. Clinical examination revealed multiple nodules distributed on the face and neck. The histopathologic examination of a biopsy specimen showed the typical features of steatocystoma multiplex. CO2 laser therapy without anesthesia was employed, and the contents were evacuated by squeezing the cysts with a pair of forceps.

RESULTS

Very good results were obtained with rapid healing, minimal invasiveness, and without anesthesia. There was no evidence of scar formation and no signs of recurrence at 2-year follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Different treatments have been reported for steatocystoma multiplex. We consider CO2 laser therapy to be an ideal technique for the treatment of steatocystoma multiplex, especially when the lesions are localized in aesthetically important areas.

Steatocystoma multiplex: a case with unusual clinical and histological manifestation

A 35-year-old man at our clinic was found to have steatocystoma multiplex manifested by dome-shaped nodules confined to the scalp and forehead. One of four cyst biopsy specimens revealed large lining cells with granular cytoplasm adjacent to typical steatocystoma epithelial lining cells. Neither fibrosis nor inflammatory changes were noted in the surrounding connective tissue. The large granular lining cells had immunohistochemical characteristics of the macrophage/monocyte lineage. This case appears to be an unusual clinical and histological manifestation of steatocystoma multiplex.

Hybrid cysts showing alternate combination of eruptive vellus hair cyst, steatocystoma multiplex, and epidermoid cyst, and an association among the three conditions

Eruptive vellus hair cyst (EVHC), steatocystoma multiplex (SM), and epidermoid cyst are characterized by formation of multiple cutaneous cysts and have a resemblance in clinical features but have distinctive histologic features. We present herein two patients, who had EVHC, SM, and EVHC with sebaceous gland, and who also had EVHC, SM, and epidermoid cyst with sebaceous gland and vellus hairs. In addition, the interrelation among the three diseases is discussed. We think that EVHC, SM and epidermoid cyst are within the same spectrum of the disease process.

Multiple pilosebaceous cysts

We report two patients initially diagnosed as having steatocystoma multiplex (SM). Other cysts showed characteristics of eruptive vellus hair cyst (EVHC). More than 30 and 14 cysts, respectively, were removed with histological hybrid characteristics of SM and EVHC. This suggests that SM and EVCH are two closely related entities, which represent a naevoid malformation in the area where the sebaceous duct and hair follicle meet.

Eruptive vellus hair cysts with sebaceous glands

A patient is described who had eruptive vellus hair cysts with and without sebaceous glands in the cyst walls. An association is suggested between eruptive vellus hair cysts and the condition of steatocystoma multiplex.

Regional dermatoses in the African race. Papular lesions on the face

Many diseases are peculiar to the black race and most practicing physicians in Africa have limited access to histopathologists, therefore, diagnosis is largely clinical. A retrospective study of 10,000 consecutive patients seen at the skin clinic of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria, was conducted with the objective of identifying the notable dermatoses affecting various parts of the body. The face and the shins were observed to have a very broad spectrum of dermatoses. Useful clinical descriptions of these dermatoses are highlighted in a three part paper to help practicing physicians.