Palisaded encapsulated neuroma (PEN): an often misdiagnosed neural tumor

Dermatol Online J. 2008 Jul 15;14(7):12.

Abstract

We describe a unique case of a young man with concomitant Fragile X syndrome who presented with a dome-shaped pearly papule under the nose that had enlarged over 9 months. Histology demonstrated a smoothly contoured spindle cell neoplasm of the dermis with neuroid structures and foci of palisaded growth, consistent with a diagnosis of palisaded encapsulated neuroma (PEN). Palisaded encapsulated neuroma is a benign neural neoplasm of the skin or mucosa that displays histologic features of both a neurofibroma and a schwannoma. However, unlike these tumors, PEN lacks the implications for underlying systemic disease or malignancy. Palisaded encapsulated neuroma is a commonly underdiagnosed and misdiagnosed tumor that, once identified clinically and histologically, can be easily excised without recurrence.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Biopsy, Needle
  • Carcinoma / diagnosis
  • Carcinoma / pathology*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Face
  • Facial Neoplasms
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Male
  • Neuroma / diagnosis
  • Neuroma / pathology*
  • Neuroma / surgery*
  • Risk Assessment
  • Skin Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Skin Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Treatment Outcome