Development of Pilomatrixoma at the Vaccination Site: A Rare Complication of COVID-19 Vaccination - A Case Report

Abstract

BACKGROUND Pilomatrixoma, pilomatricoma, or calcifying epithelioma of Malherbe, is a common benign tumor that arises from the base of the hair follicle. Pilomatrixoma has previously been reported at vaccination sites. This report is of a 65-year-old man with an 18-month history of an enlarging pilomatrixoma of the left upper arm at the vaccination site, following a first COVID-19 vaccination. CASE REPORT The case involves a 65-year-old man who developed a left shoulder mass 1.5 years ago. The mass appeared at his COVID-19 vaccine site 3 months after receiving the first dose. The mass measures 3 cm in diameter, was mobile, and exhibited no signs of infection in the physical examination. Surgical excision was performed, and pathology confirmed the mass as a pilomatrixoma, characterized by basaloid cells and keratinization. Three months after surgery, no recurrence was observed. CONCLUSIONS This report has presented an association between vaccination injection sites and pilomatrixoma aligning with previous findings. Enhanced awareness about this condition can substantially improve pilomatrixoma diagnosis accuracy and reduce unnecessary examinations and treatments. Furthermore, we recommend that, along with clinical symptoms, ultrasound imaging be considered a valuable diagnostic tool for pilomatrixoma, with histopathological results to confirm the diagnosis.