Pseudo-koebnerization in a child

A 6-year-old male child accompanied by his parents consulted the dermatology outpatient department for skin lesions over the face for 2 weeks. The child was not immunosuppressed and did not have any comorbid illness. Cutaneous examination revealed skin-colored shiny pearly white umbilicated papules over the forehead and zygomatic area. Skin lesions over the zygomatic area exhibited the pseudo-Koebner phenomenon (PKP) [Figure 1a]. Tzanck smear confirmed the diagnosis of molluscum contagiosum with molluscum bodies [Figure 1b]. Parents were reassured about the condition and the child was advised needling procedure for the same.

Close

Figure 1:

(a) Skin-colored shiny pearly white umbilicated papules over the zygomatic area with pseudo-koebnerization evident, (b) Tzanck smear with molluscum bodies.

Export to PPT

Koebner (isomorphic) phenomenon is the development of pathologic isomorphic skin lesions over traumatized uninvolved skin of affected patients with cutaneous conditions first described by Heinrich Koebner in 1877.^[1] PKP is the induction of new lesions due to autoinoculation of infective material into the normal skin from a pre-existing focus most commonly noticed in viral warts or molluscum contagiosum.^[1] This case was highlighted to observe and appreciate the phenomenon.