Colloid Degeneration (Collagen Degeneration) of the Skin

Colloid degeneration of the skin, also known as colloid milium or hyaloma, is a rare dermatosis of unknown cause. It is characterized by discrete or confluent yellowish nodules occurring predominantly on the exposed surfaces and from which, on puncture, a gelatinous, translucent, yellowish or brownish material can be expressed. Microscopically, hyalin-like degeneration of the collagen bundles of the dermis is found. To our knowledge, about 50 authentic cases have been reported in the literature. According to Jager,1who tabulated all reports of cases up to 1925, the first case was reported by Wagner in 1866. Besnier and Balzer recognized the disease as arising from the connective tissue of the dermis. Besnier2named it "colloid degeneration of the skin." The most recent, and one of the few articles in the American literature, was by Labadie,3in August 1926. He reported 1 case and reviewed some 20 previously reported.