Polythelia Pilosa: A Particular Form of Accessory Mammary Tissue
January 1998
in “
Dermatology
”
Studysummary This study found evidence that polythelia pilosa, previously excluded from classification, should be reintroduced as it marks true aberrant mammary structures in men and hirsute women.
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The study investigated 14 cases of polythelia pilosa, defined as isolated patches of hair, among 72 cases of aberrant mammary tissue. Histopathological examination of excised patches in 3 women revealed structures consistent with areolar or apocrine glandular tissue, including acanthotic and hyperpigmented epithelium, hair follicles with hypertrophic sebaceous glands, and secretory glomerules and excretory ducts. The findings suggested that polythelia pilosa should be considered a marker of accessory mammary tissue and reinstated in the classification of aberrant mammary structures.
