Eruptive vellus hair cysts (or EVHC) are small
lesion
A lesion is any damage or abnormal change in the tissue of an organism, usually caused by disease or trauma. ''Lesion'' is derived from the Latin "injury". Lesions may occur in plants as well as animals.
Types
There is no designated classif ...
s that occur most often in the
chest wall,
abdomen
The abdomen (colloquially called the belly, tummy, midriff, tucky or stomach) is the part of the body between the thorax (chest) and pelvis, in humans and in other vertebrates. The abdomen is the front part of the abdominal segment of the to ...
and extremities, often with a crusted surface.
EVHC may occur randomly, or it can be inherited as an
autosomal dominant trait. The condition affects males and females equally, and sporadic cases usually appear at 4–18 years of age. The cysts appear similar clinically to
steatocystoma multiplex
Steatocystoma multiplex, is a benign, autosomal dominant congenital condition resulting in multiple cysts on a person's body. Steatocystoma simplex is the solitary counterpart to steatocystoma multiplex.
In steatocystoma multiplex, the tendency to ...
, as well as
acneiform eruption
Acneiform eruptions are a group of dermatoses including acne vulgaris, rosacea, folliculitis, and perioral dermatitis. Restated, acneiform eruptions are follicular eruptions characterized by papules and pustules resembling acne.James, William; Be ...
s and
milia. Therapeutic techniques that are safe and effective are rare, with
incision and drainage being the primary form of treatment when sporadic regression does not occur.
It was first described in 1977.
Signs/symptoms
Cause
Diagnosis
Histopathology is the basis of diagnosis. Stratified-squamous epithelium with a granular layer that surrounding a cystic space filled with laminated keratin and a variable number of vellus hair cysts is seen to be present.
It can be difficult to distinguish from other skin conditions, including molluscum contagiosum and acne vulgaris but can be corroborated with histopathology.
Associations
It can be associated with
Steatocystoma multiplex
Steatocystoma multiplex, is a benign, autosomal dominant congenital condition resulting in multiple cysts on a person's body. Steatocystoma simplex is the solitary counterpart to steatocystoma multiplex.
In steatocystoma multiplex, the tendency to ...
.
Treatment
The primary indication for treatment is
cosmesis Cosmesis is the preservation, restoration, or bestowing of bodily beauty.''Dorland's Medical Dictionary''. 25th ed. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Co.; 1995 In the medical context, it usually refers to the surgical correction of a disfiguring defect, o ...
.
Retinoids, surgery, and lasers are used as treatment modalities.
See also
*
Steatocystoma simplex
*
Milia
*
List of cutaneous conditions
References
Further reading
*
{{Disorders of skin appendages
Epidermal nevi, neoplasms, and cysts