Clinical, Histopathological, and Immunohistochemical Study of Steatocystoma Multiplex

Kim, Moon Bum; Jang, Ho Sun; Oh, Chang Keun; Kwon, Kyung Sool

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Steatocystoma multiplex is a rare but well-known disorder characterized clinically by the formation of numerous cutaneous cysts and histopathologically by a undulated hyalinized cuticle and sebaceous glands within or close to the cyst walls. However the clinical and histological features can be variable and may mimic other other cystic tumors.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of study was to characterize the clinical and histopathological features of steatocystoma multiplex and to assess the effectiveness of cytokeratin 10 and 17 stain in differentiating steatocystoma multiplex from epidermal cysts.
METHODS
A total of 54 cases of SM diagnosed at the Department of Dermatology, Pusan National University Hospital(PNUH) were reviewed clinically and histopathologically. To compare the staining pattern of Cytokeratin 10 and 17 between steatocystoma multiplex and epidermal cyst, we used monoclonal mouse anti-human cytokeratin 10 and cytokeratin 17.
RESULTS
1. Male to female ratio is 1.4:1, and family history is identified in only 4 cases. 2. The mean age at visit and at onset of the lesions are 32 years(range:16 - 58) and 25.8 years(range: 13 - 58). 3. The major lesional sites at visit were the upper extremities(14 cases, 50%) and chest(13 cases, 46%), and those at onset were the upper extremities(7 cases, 25%) and axillae(6 cases, 22%). 4. Atypical histopathologic findings, such as round or oval cystic wall(25 cases, 46%), vellus hair in cystic wall(2 cases, 4%), foreign body granuloma reaction(1 case, 2%), or the cases not showing the diagnostic histopathologic findings(2 cases, 4%) are frequently noted. 5. Cytokeratin 10 and 17 immunohistochemical staining are helpful in discriminating steatocystoma multiplex from epidermal cyst.
CONCLUSION
It is interesting that steatocystoma multiplex has more clinical and histopathological findings than the previous reports, and characteristic response to Cytokeratin 10 and 17.