Primary Cutaneous Endometriosis: Rare and Challenging Diagnosis
Abstract
Endometriosis occurs in about 10% of women of reproductive age. It is histopathologically characterized by the presence of endometrial glandular tissue and/or stroma outside the uterine cavity. The main cutaneous site is the umbilicus. Primary skin endometriosis is rare and underdiagnosed. It should be suspected in the presence of an erythemato-violaceous nodule with a bleeding tendency, especially during the menstrual period, even in the absence of previous abdominal surgery or history of pelvic endometriosis. Surgical resection is the treatment of choice. Gynecological evaluation is recommended, since the association with pelvic disease occurs in 26% of cases of skin endometriosis. We report a case of a violaceous nodule on an umbilical scar showing bleeding during menstruation, which evolved over a year following trauma, in a patient with no history of abdominal surgeries and/ or endometriosis.
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