Late-Onset Eruptive Clear Cell Syringoma: A Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

Eruptive syringoma, a rare subtype of syringoma, is a benign adnexal tumor arising from the eccrine sweat glands. It is characterized by multiple asymptomatic, flat-topped, brown-pigmented papules. The disease typically occurs during adolescence and young adulthood. The clear cell variant of syringoma, which histologically features ductal epithelial cells with clear cytoplasm, is relatively rare, while eruptive clear cell syringoma is even more infrequent. In this report, we present a case of a 64-year-old Thai woman who developed multiple erythematous to brownish papules on her right cheek, which eventually spread to the periorbital region, face, neck, and chest over five years. The diagnosis of late-onset eruptive clear cell syringoma was made based on the patient’s clinical manifestations and confirmed by histopathological examination. Notably, the patient was found to have impaired fasting plasma glucose upon screening, highlighting the potential association between clear cell syringoma and glucose metabolism abnormalities. This case report emphasizes the importance of considering this diagnosis in elderly patients presenting with eruptive papular dermatoses and underscores the need for metabolic screening in affected individuals.