Oral verruciform hyperkeratotic lesions indicating the presence of plantar or palmoplantar keratodermas

Oral verruciform hyperkeratotic lesions (OVHLs) affecting the gingiva and palate are frequent in proliferative verrucous leukoplakia (PVL). Intraoral hyperkeratotic lesions can also be observed in epidermolytic keratodermas, albeit such association has received limited attention in oral and maxillofacial pathology. The authors report on 5 individuals whose plantar (PK) or palmoplantar keratodermas (PPKs) were confirmed after evaluation of gingival leukoplakic biopsies.

Two women and 3 men, ages 18 to 64, presented with solitary or diffuse leukoplakias of the attached gingiva and hard palate, clinically interpreted as PVL. All individuals underwent diagnostic gingival and/or palatal biopsies.

Microscopically, the lesions featured verruciform hyperparakeratosis, occasionally conspicuous hypergranulosis and acanthosis. In the spinous cell layer, numerous cells presented with vacuolated cytoplasm and paranuclear eosinophilic condensations that, infrequently, engulfed the nucleus. The histopathologic findings were interpreted as verrucous hyperkeratosis consistent with those described in epidermolytic PPKs. Further evaluation of the individuals for cutaneous lesions disclosed PK or PPKs in all 5 patients. Additionally, the men exhibited elbow and subungual hyperkeratoses. A family history of keratodermas was confirmed in all 3 male individuals.

Gingival and/or palatal OVHLs associated with PK and PPKs display pathognomonic histopathologic features and exhibit indolent biologic behavior. Therefore, any confusion with PVL should be avoided to prevent overtreatment.