Angiokeratoma presenting as plantar verruca: a case study

Area of Science:

• Podiatry
• Dermatology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Plantar verrucae are common foot conditions encountered by podiatric physicians.
• Morphological and incidence studies of plantar verrucae exist in general and HIV-infected populations.
• Solitary angiokeratomas can present as hyperkeratotic, pedunculated lesions, resembling plantar verrucae.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a unique case of a solitary angiokeratoma mimicking plantar verrucae in an HIV-positive patient.
• To highlight the importance of including solitary angiokeratomas in the differential diagnosis for lower extremity lesions.

Main Methods:

• Case study of a 40-year-old male with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
• Clinical examination of a painful solitary lesion on the lower extremity.
• Comparison of lesion morphology with known features of plantar verrucae.

Main Results:

• The patient presented with a solitary angiokeratoma that clinically resembled plantar verrucae.
• The lesion exhibited characteristic features of verrucae, including red/black lacunae and punctuated hyperkeratotic epidermis.
• The lesion was confirmed as a solitary angiokeratoma.

Conclusions:

• Solitary angiokeratomas can present with morphological similarities to plantar verrucae.
• Podiatric physicians should consider solitary angiokeratomas in their differential diagnosis for lower extremity lesions.
• Early and accurate diagnosis is crucial, particularly in immunocompromised patients.