1 INTRODUCTION

We describe a child with a primary CD4+/CD56+ hematodermic tumour characterized by a skin lesion with a bruise-like aspect. It was initially diagnosed as a thigh haematoma secondary to child abuse.

2 CASE REPORT

The child presented to his local hospital with a 5-month history of haematoma located on the posterior left thigh. He was initially investigated for a bleeding diathesis, but coagulation screening tests, and a haematoma drainage, were inconclusive. The physicians inferred a battered child syndrome and treated the patient conservatively.

Four months later, he was admitted for further evaluation. On examination, a the left posterior thigh ecchymosis and multiple purple lesions on both legs were present (Fig. 1. a-b). During his hospital stay, a left groin lymph node enlarged. He underwent a lymph node, and cutaneous, biopsy which were diagnostic for a CD4+/CD56+ hematodermic tumour. A bone marrow aspirate was negative for neoplastic infiltration. The patient was treated with chemotherapy, went into remission and the haematoma gradually disappeared. Two years after initial presentation, he is well and disease free.

FIGURE 1 a

Fig. 1 a

FIGURE 1 b

Fig. 1 b

3 DISCUSSION

The disease spectrum of CD4+/CD56+ hematodermic tumour is expanding with only a few paediatric cases documented ^{[1, 2, 3]}. It has been described as a distinct clinicopathologic entity, with an aggressive course and a poor outcome. CD4+/CD56+ hematodermic malignancies are rare entity in the hematolymphoid system. They consist of neoplasms with a high incidence of cutaneous involvement and a risk of rapid leukaemic dissemination. These neoplasms mainly involve skin at the initial diagnosis with often indolent presentation, but later manifest a speedy, and aggressive progression, which is usually quickly fatal ^[4].

Awareness of this particular clinical presentation may allow physicians to avoid a misdiagnosis. In our case, the initial erroneous conclusion delayed a correct diagnosis and triggered an extensive social service investigation which exonerated the child's parents of any suspicion of child abuse.

Diagnosing a CD4+/CD56+ hematodermic tumour may be complex, especially when an isolated extramedullary involvement is the presenting sign ^{[5, 6]}. Since clinical findings may be non-specific and histopathology is only suggestive, misdiagnosis is likely. Clinicians should broaden the differential diagnosis, to include malignancies, when unexplained or poorely-defined clinical pictures are provided. Early recognition and appropriate treatment are essential to improving a chance to cure these patients.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT

No conflict of interests and financial disclosure is present. Each author has substantially contributed to the acquisition and analysis of data.

How to Cite This Article

Ruggiero A, Maurizi P, Mastrangelo S, Attina G, Rizzo D, Riccardi R. Hematodermic Tumour Resembling a Battered Child Syndrome. Med One. 2016 Oct 25; 1: e160020. https://doi.org/10.20900/mo.20160020