Chondroid Syringoma Involving the Sub-brow Area

Abstract

Purpose: Chondroid syringoma of the skin is a rare subcutaneous tumor and localization in the eyelid and orbital region that has rarely been described. We report a case of chondroid syringoma that involved the sub-brow region and was accompanied by hair loss. Case summary: A 57-year-old women presented with a mass on the lateral side of the left sub-brow region which was observed 25 years earlier. The mass, which recurred 2 months after surgery at another hospital through a skin incision was accompanied by an itching sensation. The mass was not tender or ulcerated but was reddish with superficial blood vessels and had a smooth surface with hair loss at the site of the mass. The mass showed high signal intensity on a T2-weighted magnetic resonance image and a round echogenic nodule with an irregular hypoechoic portion was observed on ultrasonography. A full-thickness excision including the adjacent normal tissue of the sub-brow mass and direct closure were subsequently performed. The pathological diagnosis was chondroid syringoma which was revealed as numerous tubular structures with various lumens in a collagenous stroma. Mucinous and fibrous findings were also observed. No recurrence was detected during the first 2 years after surgery. Conclusions: Chondroid syringoma in the eyelid and sub-brow region is uncommon. Complete resection is required to differentiate it from a malignancy and reduce the possibility of recurrence. Incomplete resection or capsular rupture during removal of the tumor could induce recurrence or a malignant change in the tumor.