Acrochordons are not a component of the Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome - Does this syndrome exist? Case reports and review of the literature

Multiple fibrofolliculomas, trichodiscomas, and acrochordons compose the tr iad of cutaneous lesions characterizing the Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome, inheri ted in an autosomal dominant fashion. We report a case of a family who had the triad of tumors of the Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome. Two members were observ ed clinically and histologically. Biopsies of the facial papules disclosed features of the fibrofolliculoma/ trichodiscoma spectrum. Lesions that were clinically acrochordon-like proved to correspond to the same histopatholog ic spectrum. The characterization of the nature of the acrochordon-like les ions in our patients and the review of the literature allow us to question if acrochordons (skin tags) should be maintained as a component of this ass ociation. In light of our conclusion that fibrofolliculoma, trichodiscoma, and the acrochordon-like lesions an histologic variations of a single lesio n, we further question whether thr term "syndrome" is valid.