Molluscum Contagiosum in an Epidermoid Cyst

A 13-year-old male with a history of morphea was found to have an 8-mm asymptomatic nodule on his thigh, which was excised and diagnosed as an epidermoid cyst (EC) containing molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV) bodies. This case added to the fewer than 15 reported instances of MCV infection in ECs, a rare occurrence where the virus typically infects epidermal keratinocytes. The prolonged use of potent local steroids in the patient likely facilitated the development of this atypical MC infection. The study highlighted the importance of histological examination of ECs, especially in patients undergoing immunosuppressive treatment, as ECs can be affected by similar pathological processes as the epidermis, including infections and tumors.