Lymphocytoma cutis: diagnostic enigma for the maxillofacial surgeon

Cutaneous lymphoid hyperplasia (CLH) is a cutaneous pseudolymphoma with a worldwide distribution, equally affecting all races and ethnic groups. Due to its vast array of characteristics, it is most often missed in the differential diagnosis of firm to soft lumps on the head and neck. A systematic approach to the workup and diagnosis along with treatment of such lesions is discussed in this article. A 20-year-old Asian Indian female presented to our Oral and Maxillofacial unit with a lump on the left side of her forehead for 1 month. Local examination revealed a 2.5×3.0 cm2, well circumscribed swelling over the left para median region that was firm to doughy and non-tender. There was no other significant finding on general examination. Excisional biopsy of the lesion was performed, followed by histopathologic processing. The general etiology, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, differential diagnosis, clinical course, prognosis, treatment, and prevention have been discussed in line with the recent modalities of diagnosis and treatment of CLH. Due to the overlapping clinical and histological characteristics of CLH with many other lesions, it is important to consider this lesion in the differential diagnosis of cutaneous lesions.