Excision of a pilomatricoma behind the knee

This patient has a pilomatricoma, aka a calcifying epithelioma of Malherbe, which is commonly a solitary but mobile growth under the skin which is most often confused to be an epidermoid cyst. These are benign growths, not painful or uncomfortable. I was suspicious it was a pilomatricoma when I removed it because of it’s firmness, but the diagnosis was confirmed when we sent the tissue for histopathology.
Under the microscope, it’s typical to see “shadow cells”, pink circular areas with a central clearing/ lightened area. There is often calcification (calcium deposition) and even ossification (bone deposition) which gives this growth a very hard firm appearance.
Treatment is surgical excision as I do here, but it is a benign process and is in no way life threatening.
Sorry about my editing in my intro for this one.. Still trying to learn how to use my editing software.. Hopefully I’m getting better every time, but I didn’t love how choppy this one is.. Next time it won’t be like this 😉
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