Maha Habibi, H. Taounza, Nadia Ismaili, Benzekri Laila, Mariame Meziane
Journal: Medpeer Publisher
ISSN: 3066-2737
Volume: 3
Issue: 9
Date of Publication: 2026/09/10
Background: Pilomatricoma is a benign adnexal tumor derived from hair follicle matrix cells. Although its clinical and dermoscopic features have been described mainly in fair-skinned populations, data in darker phototypes remain scarce.
Objective: To describe the clinical and dermoscopic characteristics of histologically confirmed pilomatricomas in patients with darker skin phototypes (Fitzpatrick III–V) at a tertiary dermatology center in Morocco.
Methods: Descriptive single-center study including all patients with histologically confirmed pilomatricoma, examined with polarized-light dermoscopy between 2022 and 2024.
Results: Fifteen patients were included. The mean age was 43.03 years (range 9–65 years), with a female predominance (male-to-female ratio 0.6:1). The cervicofacial region was the most frequent site (86.7%). Most patients had Fitzpatrick phototype IV (73.3%). The skin fold sign was present in 80% of cases. The most frequent dermoscopic features were reddish homogeneous areas (77.8%), yellow-whitish structures (76.9%), structureless gray-blue areas (73.3%), and the rainbow pattern (80%). Dotted and hairpin vessels were absent.
Conclusion: In this series of predominantly dark phototypes, structureless gray-blue areas (73.3%) and the rainbow pattern (80%) were prominent dermoscopic features, with a relative absence of classic vascular patterns. These findings suggest potential phototype-related differences in the dermoscopic appearance of pilomatricoma.
pilomatricoma; pilomatrixoma; dermoscopy; skin of color; dark phototype; adnexal tumor; Morocco
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