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Plantar wart presenting as a cutaneous horn
1Monash Medical Centre, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
The Australasian Journal of Dermatology
|November 1, 1995
Summary
A tender foot lesion clinically resembling a cutaneous horn was diagnosed via biopsy as a viral wart. This case highlights the cytopathic effects of human papillomaviruses in cutaneous infections.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Virology
- Pathology
Background:
- Cutaneous horns are typically hyperkeratotic lesions for which various etiologies exist.
- Viral warts, caused by human papillomaviruses (HPVs), are common epithelial neoplasms.
- Distinguishing between clinical presentations and histopathological findings is crucial in dermatological diagnosis.
Observation:
- An elderly male patient presented with a chronic, painful lesion on the plantar surface of his foot.
- The lesion exhibited clinical features suggestive of a cutaneous horn.
- Histopathological examination via biopsy was performed for definitive diagnosis.
Findings:
- Biopsy results revealed the characteristic cytopathic effects of a viral wart, not a cutaneous horn.
- The findings indicate human papillomavirus (HPV) infection as the underlying cause.
- This underscores the importance of biopsy in diagnosing ambiguous skin lesions.
Implications:
- The case emphasizes that seemingly typical cutaneous horns can represent viral papillomas.
- Understanding the cytopathic effects of cutaneous HPVs is essential for accurate diagnosis and management.
- This highlights a diagnostic challenge in differentiating viral warts from other hyperkeratotic lesions.