Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 28, 2026
Author Spotlight: Anterior HR-OCT as a Non-Invasive Tool for Characterizing Ocular Surface Squamous Neoplasia
Published on: August 9, 2024
Pediatric Periocular Keratin Horns: A Case Series
Amun Sachdev1, Fariha Shafi, Purnima Mehta
1Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital, University Hospitals of Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry, West Midlands, United Kingdom.
Insights
This study reports two rare pediatric cases of periocular keratin horns, which are benign skin growths. Careful management is advised due to potential premalignant changes.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Dermatology
- Pediatric Medicine
Background:
- Periocular keratin horns are rare, especially in pediatric populations.
- Limited data exists on pediatric periocular keratin horns, necessitating further investigation.
Observation:
- The study presents two pediatric cases: a 7-year-old male with a right lower eyelid keratin horn and a 16-year-old female with a caruncular keratin horn.
- Both lesions were surgically excised and histologically examined.
Findings:
- Histological analysis confirmed no malignancy in either pediatric case.
- Despite benign histology, the rarity in children complicates definitive conclusions.
Implications:
- The findings suggest careful clinical management of pediatric periocular keratin horns.
- There is a need for vigilance regarding potential premalignant or malignant changes at the lesion base, drawing parallels from adult cases.
Abstract:
There are very few published cases of periocular keratin horns that have been reported in children. This study reports 2 pediatric cases of periocular keratin horns. The authors describe a 7-year-old male child who developed a keratin horn on the right lower eyelid and a 16-year-old female who developed a caruncular keratin horn. Both cases underwent excision biopsy, and subsequent histology confirmed that there was no evidence of malignancy. However, on the basis of the current evidence in adults and the difficulty in drawing firm conclusions from the small number of reported pediatric cases, the authors suggest that these lesions should be carefully managed due to the possibility of premalignant or malignant change at the base of the lesion.
