# Juvenile Xanthogranuloma Mimicking Other Dermal Nodules: A Diagnostic Challenge in an Infant

**Authors:** Rashed A Alhusaini, Alsadat Mosbeh, Abeer Albazali

PMC · DOI: 10.7759/cureus.104450 · Cureus · 2026-02-28

## TL;DR

A six-month-old infant had a skin lesion that was diagnosed as juvenile xanthogranuloma after a biopsy, highlighting its importance in pediatric dermatology.

## Contribution

The case highlights the diagnostic challenge of JXG and its histological features in infants.

## Key findings

- The lesion was diagnosed as juvenile xanthogranuloma via histological analysis.
- CD68-positive histiocytes confirmed the diagnosis.
- The case emphasizes the need to consider JXG in differential diagnoses for pediatric skin nodules.

## Abstract

Juvenile xanthogranuloma (JXG) is a benign histiocytic proliferation that typically presents as solitary or multiple skin lesions in infants and young children. We present the case of a six-month-old female infant who presented with a solitary, firm, dome-shaped yellowish-brown nodule on the back, noticed by her parents four weeks prior to consultation. The lesion was asymptomatic, with no history of trauma or discharge, and was not associated with systemic symptoms. Clinical examination and differential diagnoses included JXG, mastocytoma, Spitz nevus, nevus sebaceous, and xanthoma. A 3 mm punch biopsy was performed, and histological analysis revealed a pandermal infiltrate composed of epithelioid and foamy histiocytes intermingled with Touton-type giant cells, lymphocytes, eosinophils, and plasma cells. The overlying epidermis demonstrated hyperkeratosis and acanthosis, with no evidence of malignancy. The histiocytes were positive for CD68, confirming the diagnosis of JXG. This case underscores the importance of recognizing JXG as a differential diagnosis in pediatric dermatology and highlights the characteristic histological findings that facilitate diagnosis in a clinical context.

## Linked entities

- **Diseases:** juvenile xanthogranuloma (MONDO:0015534), mastocytoma (MONDO:0003079), Spitz nevus (MONDO:0044793), xanthoma (MONDO:0005236)

## Full-text entities

- **Genes:** CD68 (CD68 molecule) [NCBI Gene 968] {aka GP110, LAMP4, SCARD1}
- **Diseases:** xanthoma (MESH:D014973), mastocytoma (MESH:D034801), hyperkeratosis (MESH:D017488), trauma (MESH:D014947), Dermal Nodules (MESH:D016606), skin lesions (MESH:D012871), acanthosis (MESH:D000052), Spitz nevus (MESH:D018332), malignancy (MESH:D009369), JXG (MESH:D014972), nevus sebaceous (MESH:D054000)

## Full text

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## Figures

4 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC13035371/full.md

## References

13 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC13035371/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC13035371