Open AccessMulticentric calcified trichilemmal cysts with alopecia universalis affecting siblings
Author(s) -
Haneef Nayeem Sadath,
Srinivas Sulugodu Ramachandra,
Metta Anil Kumar,
K Haritha
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
indian journal of dermatology, venereology, and leprology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.514
H-Index - 45
eISSN - 0973-3922
pISSN - 0378-6323
DOI - 10.4103/0378-6323.104675
Subject(s) - scalp , alopecia universalis , nodule (geology) , calcification , cyst , hair disease , medicine , epidermoid cyst , anatomy , pathology , dermatology , biology , paleontology
Trichilemmal cyst, also known as "pilar cyst," is a benign cyst containing keratin and its breakdown products with a wall resembling external root sheath of hair. It occurs mostly in females as a solitary firm nodule over scalp. Occurrence of multiple trichilemmal cysts in areas other than scalp is extremely rare. We are reporting a case of a 40-years-old female who presented with multiple calcified trichilemmal cysts in multicentric distribution associated with alopecia universalis. Similar complaints were present in elder sister of the patient, indicating a genetic background. Multicentric distribution of trichilemmal cysts, calcification, familial occurrence, and association with alopecia universalis seen in our case are all rare and intriguing features.