# Managing a Misdiagnosed Case of Nevus Sebaceous

## TL;DR

A young man misdiagnosed with viral warts was correctly identified with nevus sebaceous and treated with laser therapy after declining surgery.

## Contribution

The case highlights the importance of accurate diagnosis and the use of histopathology to avoid mismanagement.

## Key findings

- Nevus sebaceous was diagnosed using dermoscopic and histopathological evaluations.
- Laser treatment was used as an alternative to surgical excision.
- Histopathological analysis is crucial for confirming diagnosis and ruling out malignancy.

## Abstract

A male patient in his early 20s presented to our outpatient clinic, having previously been misdiagnosed and unsuccessfully treated as a case of viral warts. Dermoscopic and histopathological evaluations revealed characteristic features of the nevus sebaceous. The lesion was eventually treated with an erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Er:YAG) laser after the patient declined surgical excision. Nevus sebaceous often presents with verrucous surfaces that make misdiagnosis common. A correct diagnosis is crucial due to potential neoplastic transformations. Histopathological analysis is essential for both the confirmation of disease and the exclusion of malignancy. Full-thickness surgical excision remains the preferred treatment.