Dermoscopic, Confocal Microscopic, and Histologic Characteristics of an Atypical Presentation of Molluscum Contagiosum

Molluscum Contagiosum is a common and easily diagnosed skin condition; however, in immunosuppressed patients, presentations may be atypical requiring biopsy. The histopathology of molluscum is nearly unmistakable with the Henderson-Paterson bodies being pathognomonic for the condition. Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) is a new, non-invasive technique which can be used to diagnose molluscum contagiosum. We present a 35-year-old male patient who presents with four umbilicated papules on his left abdomen following unsuccessful treatment for herpes zoster infection by his primary care physician. A quick bed side diagnosis of molluscum contagiosum was made using confocal microscopy (Vivascope 1500, Lucid Inc, Rochester, NY). ABBREVIATIONS RCM: reflectance confocal microscopy