Infantile digital fibromatosis is a benign asymptomatic nodular proliferation of fibrous tissue occurring almost exclusively on the dorsal and lateral aspects of the fingers or the toes, as is shown in the image below.[1] Reye first described infantile digital fibromatosis in 1965 as a recurring digital fibrous tumor.[2]
View Image | Firm, nontender, erythematous nodule on the fifth finger of a 17-month-old boy. |
The etiology of infantile digital fibromatosis is unknown. Defective organization of actin filaments in myofibroblasts has been hypothesized. It has been suggested that possible deregulation of the normal bone morphogenetic protein (a member of the transforming growth factor-β superfamily) mediated apoptotic pathway may explain the location of these lesions at the sites of digital septation. Transforming growth factor-β1 also mediates myofibroblast differentiation from fibroblasts.[3, 4]
Infantile digital fibromatosis is rare, with approximately 250 cases reported worldwide.
Males and females are equally affected by infantile digital fibromatosis.
Most nodules appear in the first few months of life; one third are congenital, and 75-80% are noted during the first year of life. Reports of infantile digital fibromatosis developing in older children and adults are rare.
The prognosis for infantile digital fibromatosis is excellent. Infantile digital fibromatosis is benign, without evidence of malignant transformation or metastases. There may be single or multiple nodules. Infantile digital fibromatosis lesions tend to spontaneously involute without scarring. Rarely, the lesions can cause functional impairment or deformity. Rare cases of ulceration have been reported. The infantile digital fibromatosis lesions tend to grow slowly in the first month, then rapidly grow over about a year, followed by spontaneous resolution over 1-10 years (average 2-3 y). Recurrence is common after excision.
Patients with infantile digital fibromatosis are asymptomatic, without associated systemic symptoms.
Single or multiple, firm, pink, dermal nodules with a smooth dome-shaped surface appear on the dorsolateral aspect of the distal phalanges of the digits. Infantile digital fibromatosis lesions can grow up to several centimeters in diameter. There is often deformity of the affected digit; however, they rarely cause functional impairment. Lesions are more common on the fingers than on the toes and spare the thumbs and great toes. Rarely, more than one digit is involved. Rare extradigital sites reported include the hands, feet, arms, nose, breasts, torso, and tongue.[5]
The infantile digital fibromatosis lesions rarely cause functional impairment or deformity, but they have become ulcerated in some instances.
Unique histologic features are diagnostic of infantile digital fibromatosis. Interlacing fascicles of uniform spindle-shaped myofibroblast cells and collagen bundles are seen in the dermis or subcutis. A characteristic feature is the presence of distinctive, perinuclear, eosinophilic cytoplasmic inclusion bodies. Masson trichrome stains these characteristic perinuclear inclusion bodies red. Immunohistochemical stains are positive for vimentin, cytokeratin, desmin, calponin, and alpha-smooth muscle actin.[6]
See the images below.
View Image | Dermal tumor with interlacing spindle-shaped cells and collagen bundles. Perinuclear eosinophilic inclusion bodies are not visible at this magnificati.... |
View Image | A dermal nodule extending into the subcutaneous fat. |
Because of the benign nature of infantile digital fibromatosis, frequent recurrence after surgery, and tendency toward spontaneous resolution,[7, 8, 9] observation is suggested.[10]
Of infantile digital fibromatosis lesions, 60-90% are reported to recur with local excision, and surgery is recommended only if there is functional impairment.[11] Mohs micrographic surgery using smooth muscle actin or trichrome stains has been successful in a few cases that required surgery.[12] Cryotherapy has also been used successfully.[13]
Topical corticosteroids with or without occlusion have not shown any benefit in infantile digital fibromatosis; however, intralesional corticosteroids or fluorouracil may prove beneficial.[14, 15]
Clinical Context: Triamcinolone is used for inflammatory dermatosis responsive to steroids. It decreases inflammation by suppressing migration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and reversing capillary permeability. Triamcinolone can be injected intralesionally.
Anti-inflammatory agents may induce regression of dermal infiltrative lesions.
Clinical Context: Fluorouracil is a pyrimidine analogue that has been shown to inhibit dermal fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis in cell culture.