brand logo

Am Fam Physician. 2010;81(4):511-512

Author disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

An otherwise healthy 18-month-old boy presented with asymptomatic papules on the inner aspect of the right thigh. The lesions appeared three months earlier and progressively increased in size. Physical examination revealed discrete, flesh-colored, dome-shaped papules (see accompanying figure) with central umbilication.

Question

Based on the patient's history and physical examination, which one of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

Discussion

The answer is B: molluscum contagiosum. Discrete, smooth, pearly or flesh-colored, dome-shaped papules with central umbilication are characteristic of molluscum contagiosum. Although the lesions are usually cutaneous, they may appear in mucosal areas, such as the genital mucosa and conjunctiva.1 Lesions are typically 1 to 5 mm in diameter and number less than 20.2 Central umbilication may be difficult to observe in smaller lesions.1 In patients with immunodeficiency, the lesions can be extensive and larger in size.

Molluscum contagiosum is caused by a poxvirus of the Molluscipoxvirus genus. The virus is transmitted through close physical contact, autoinoculation, and fomites. The incubation period is two to seven weeks.3 Molluscum contagiosum occurs worldwide but is more common in warmer climates. The incidence is unknown. The condition usually occurs between two and 11 years of age,1 and boys are affected more often than girls. Although the condition occurs primarily in healthy persons, those with immunodeficiency, atopic disease, and Darier disease are at increased risk.1,2

Molluscum contagiosum lesions are asymptomatic and heal without scarring. Rare complications include secondary bacterial infection, conjunctivitis, and superficial punctate keratitis. Most lesions resolve spontaneously within six to nine months, but they may persist for years.

To decrease the risk of spreading the infection, patients should not share bath water or towels and should avoid swimming in public pools.1 Some suggest awaiting spontaneous resolution,2 but active treatment is usually recommended for cosmetic and epidemiologic reasons.1,4 Active treatment may be mechanical (e.g., curettage, cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen); chemical (e.g., tretinoin [Retin-A], cantharidin, podophyllotoxin); or immunologic (e.g., imiquimod [Aldara], cimetidine [Tagamet]).1,4

Common warts (verruca vulgaris) are dome-shaped lesions with an irregular surface. When the surface is pared away, characteristic punctate black dots become visible.

Papular acrodermatitis of childhood (Gianotti-Crosti syndrome) typically leads to symmetrical, erythematous, flat-topped papules. The papules appear in crops on the extremities.

Papular urticaria is intensively pruritic and is caused by hypersensitivity to insect bites. Lesions initially appear as wheals and progress to papules. Some lesions may have a central punctum.

The lesions of varicella appear in successive crops and consist of rose-colored macules, papules, vesicles, and pustules with crusting. The distribution of the lesions is typically central.

ConditionCharacteristics
Common warts (verruca vulgaris)Dome-shaped lesions with irregular surface; punctate black dots visible when surface is pared away
Molluscum contagiosumDiscrete, smooth, pearly or flesh-colored, dome-shaped papules with central umbilication
Papular acrodermatitis of childhood (Gianotti-Crosti syndrome)Symmetrical, erythematous, flat-topped papules appearing in crops on the extremities
Papular urticariaIntensively pruritic lesions consisting initially of wheals and then papules; may have central punctum
VaricellaLesions appear in successive crops; rose-colored macules, papules, vesicles, and pustules with crusting; distribution is typically central

The editors of AFP welcome submissions for Photo Quiz. Guidelines for preparing and submitting a Photo Quiz manuscript can be found in the Authors' Guide at https://www.aafp.org/afp/photoquizinfo. To be considered for publication, submissions must meet these guidelines. Email submissions to afpphoto@aafp.org.

This series is coordinated by John E. Delzell Jr., MD, MSPH, associate medical editor.

A collection of Photo Quiz published in AFP is available at https://www.aafp.org/afp/photoquiz

Continue Reading


More in AFP

More in PubMed

Copyright © 2010 by the American Academy of Family Physicians.

This content is owned by the AAFP. A person viewing it online may make one printout of the material and may use that printout only for his or her personal, non-commercial reference. This material may not otherwise be downloaded, copied, printed, stored, transmitted or reproduced in any medium, whether now known or later invented, except as authorized in writing by the AAFP.  See permissions for copyright questions and/or permission requests.