Verruca Vulgaris (periungual)

Diagnosis: Verruca Vulgaris (periungual)

Large, thick, hyperkeratotic periungual and subungual wart.

Clinical Presentation

Large, thick, hyperkeratotic periungual and subungual wart.

Clinical History

Submitted by Alaa Saad. Originally posted October 22, 2010.

Treatment

See case discussion.

Differential Diagnosis

• Seborrheic keratosis • Squamous cell carcinoma • Keratoacanthoma • Molluscum contagiosum • Actinic keratosis • Corn/callus (plantar warts) • Amelanotic melanoma

Key Learnings

• Caused by Human Papillomavirus (HPV) — types 1, 2, 4, 7 most common for common warts • Thrombosed capillaries appear as "black dots" — this distinguishes from callus/corn • Spontaneous resolution occurs in ~65% within 2 years in immunocompetent individuals • Disruption of normal skin lines (dermatoglyphics) helps differentiate from callus • Butcher's warts (HPV 7): large, cauliflower-like warts in meat handlers • Koebner phenomenon: warts spread along lines of trauma • Multiple treatment modalities needed — no single treatment is universally effective

Tags: verruca, vulgaris, periungual, alaa saad