Pearls on the hip

A 6-year-old boy presented with multiple umbilicated and pearly papules on the hip [Figure 1a]. Dermoscopy revealed a central poly-lobular white amorphous structure [Figure 1b]. Tzanck smear of the central white core demonstrated basophilic intracytoplasmic bodies [Figure 1c]. Based on the clinical, dermoscopic, and Tzanck smear, we made a final diagnosis of molluscum contagiosum and treated them using currettage. Molluscum contagiosum is caused by molluscum contagiosum virus and presents as small, firm, dome-shaped, and pearly papules with central umbilication. Dermoscopy of molluscum contagiosum reveals poly-lobular white to yellow amorphous structure with a peripheral crown of linear or branched vessels.^[1] Tzanck smear demonstrates Henderson-Paterson bodies which appear as ovoid and basophilic bodies with a hyaline homogenous structure. Treatment for molluscum contagiosum includes curettage, electrosurgery, cryotherapy, and trichloroacetic acid.

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Figure 1:

(a) Multiple, dome-shaped, umbilicated, and pearly papules seen on the hip. (b) Dermoscopy demonstrating poly-lobular white amorphous structure (DL200, ×10, polarized, non-contact). (c) Tzanck smear of the central white core demonstrating basophilic intracytoplasmic bodies (Giemsa Stain, 40X).

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