Minerva
BMJ 2012; 344 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.e3209 (Published 09 May 2012) Cite this as: BMJ 2012;344:e3209- Murtaza Khan, specialist registrar,
- Berty Dharma, consultant
- murtaza.khan{at}nhs.net
A 69 year old man had a cystic scalp lesion that was excised in primary care. The specimen was not sent for histology because it was assumed to be benign. The lesion reappeared within a few weeks of surgery, and by the time the patient presented to the dermatologist, it measured 3.2×3 cm. A biopsy confirmed a malignant pilar tumour, which was completely excised by plastic surgeons. Although most cysts on the scalp are benign pilar cysts, histological analysis of every scalp sample is recommended.⇑
Notes
Cite this as: BMJ 2012;344:e3209
Footnotes
Patient consent obtained.
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