Milia En Plaque Showing Features of Basal Cell Carcinoma on Dermoscopic Findings

Kim, Min Sung; Youn, Sang Ho; Na, Chan Ho; Shin, Bong Seok

Abstract

Dermoscopy is a noninvasive technique that is known to increase the accuracy of diagnosing benign versus malignant skin lesions. Milia en plaque is a rare benign epidermal tumor characterized by multiple milia-like lesions within the erythematous edematous base. It arises spontaneously on healthy skin in predisposed individuals without any apparent cause. An 80-year-old woman presented with a solitary coin-sized yellowish to brown plaque on the right cheek. The lesion has been enlarging for several years. Dermoscopic examination showed arborizing telangiectasia, and we suspected it to be basal cell carcinoma. Two biopsies were taken from the lesion, which revealed a keratin-filled cyst lined by a stratified epithelium of a few cell layers and sparse lymphocytic infiltration. Therefore, we diagnosed the lesion as milia en plaque, histopathologically. On the basis of our experience with a case of milia en plaque diagnosed as a basal cell carcinoma with dermoscopic findings, we believe that benign lesions should be considered even in the presence of malignant findings on dermoscopy.