Pyogenic Granuloma on the Thumb of a 53-Year-Old Woman

This red papule developed 6 months ago at the base of a 53-year-old woman's thumb. The lesion was asymptomatic, but it bled easily when traumatized. It was treated definitively with surgical excision, and the biopsy report was consistent with the clinical diagnosis of pyogenic granuloma. This most commonly appears on the face or fingers and may result from minor trauma.

Although pyogenic granuloma is benign, writes Dr Reynold C. Wong of Sacramento, Calif, it may be simulated by malignant melanoma. Thus, the excised lesion should always undergo histologic examination.