Exophytic Digital Lesion

Elizabeth V. Seiverling; Matthew J. Franklin; Jeffrey J. Miller; Catherine G. Chung

May 15, 2017 Issue

Photo Quiz

Exophytic Digital Lesion

ELIZABETH V. SEIVERLING, MD; MATTHEW J. FRANKLIN, BS; JEFFREY J. MILLER, MD; and CATHERINE G. CHUNG, MD, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania

Am Fam Physician. 2017 May 15;95(10):667-668.

A 36-year-old man presented with a self-described “wart” on his finger. It had been present since childhood, although he did not know if he was born with it. The lesion was a nuisance, but it did not itch or bleed and was nontender. It did not resolve with cryotherapy performed approximately 20 years earlier. He had no other similar lesions or significant medical history, including skin disease.

Physical examination revealed a 3-mm, exophytic, firm, flesh-colored filiform papule on the dorsum of the left third finger with slight scaling (Figure 1).

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Figure 1.

Question

Based on the patient’s history and physical examination findings, which one of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

A. Acquired digital fibrokeratoma.

B. Common wart (verruca vulgaris).

C. Cutaneous horn.

D. Myxoid cyst (digital mucous cyst).

E. Supernumerary digit (polydactyly).

Discussion

The answer is A: acquired digital fibrokeratoma. Acquired digital fibrokeratomas are uncommon benign pedunculated neoplasms. They are usually 3 to 5 mm in diameter, but lesions larger than 3 cm have been documented.1 A collarette of raised skin encircling the base differentiates digital fibrokeratomas from similar lesions. This creates the appearance of an annular moat around the lesion.2 Acquired digital fibrokeratomas are usually found on the fingers and toes.2,3 Rarely, they involve the nail.4

There is no definitive etiology for acquired digital fibrokeratomas, but they are thought to be associated with subclinical trauma.2 The incidence is unknown. Although they seem to occur most often in middle-aged adults, there are documented cases in patients 12 to 70 years of age.2 Histologically, a hyperkeratotic stratum corneum is seen overlying a dome-shaped papule; acanthosis may be present.2 Acquired digital fibrokeratomas do not resolve spontaneously, and complete excision is the treatment of choice.5

Common warts (verruca vulgaris) are the most common neoplasm of the hand and are associated with human papillomavirus.5 They present as flesh-colored, irregular papules that may be sessile or exophytic. They have characteristic verrucous surface changes. Common warts are less hyperkeratotic than cutaneous horns.

Cutaneous horns are filiform projections of cornified epidermis that may possess various histologic lesions at their base. They can be found anywhere on the body but favor sun-exposed areas. These hyperkeratotic, exophytic, hard papules are usually small but can grow larger than 10 cm.2

Myxoid cysts (digital mucous cysts) appear as a solitary, flesh-colored papule or nodule over the distal interphalangeal joint. They may develop over the proximal nail fold, causing grooves in the nail plate. The cyst is filled with clear, viscous fluid.

Supernumerary digits (polydactyly) range in appearance from well-developed recognizable fingers to rudimentary pedunculated, soft, flesh-colored papules. They may be difficult to distinguish from digital fibrokeratomas when they are small and poorly developed; biopsy may be required.

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Summary Table

Lesion	Gross appearance	Location
Acquired digital fibrokeratoma	Collarette of raised skin encircling the base, creating the appearance of an annular moat around the lesion	Fingers and toes, areas of subclinical trauma
Common wart (verruca vulgaris)	Flesh-colored, verrucous papule; associated with human papillomavirus	Most common on hands but can occur anywhere on the body
Cutaneous horn	Exophytic, filiform, cornified papule; very hard	Sun-exposed areas
Myxoid cyst (digital mucous cyst)	Solitary, flesh-colored, fluid-filled papule or nodule	Over distal interphalangeal joint or proximal nail fold
Supernumerary digit (polydactyly)	Rudimentary form appears as a pedunculated, soft, flesh-colored exophytic papule	Hands and feet

Summary Table

Lesion	Gross appearance	Location
Acquired digital fibrokeratoma	Collarette of raised skin encircling the base, creating the appearance of an annular moat around the lesion	Fingers and toes, areas of subclinical trauma
Common wart (verruca vulgaris)	Flesh-colored, verrucous papule; associated with human papillomavirus	Most common on hands but can occur anywhere on the body
Cutaneous horn	Exophytic, filiform, cornified papule; very hard	Sun-exposed areas
Myxoid cyst (digital mucous cyst)	Solitary, flesh-colored, fluid-filled papule or nodule	Over distal interphalangeal joint or proximal nail fold
Supernumerary digit (polydactyly)	Rudimentary form appears as a pedunculated, soft, flesh-colored exophytic papule	Hands and feet

Address correspondence to Elizabeth V. Seiverling, MD, at eseiverling@hmc.psu.edu. Reprints are not available from the authors.

Author disclosure: No relevant financial affiliations.

REFERENCES

show all references

1. Kakurai M, Yamada T, Kiyosawa T, Ohtsuki M, Nakagawa H. Giant acquired digital fibrokeratoma. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2003;48(5 suppl):S67–S68....

2. Satter EK. Acquired digital fibrokeratoma. January 23, 2017. http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1055825-overview. Accessed March 18, 2017.

3. Cahn RL. Acquired periungual fibrokeratoma. A rare benign tumor previously described as the garlic-clove fibroma. Arch Dermatol. 1977;113(11):1564–1568.

4. Hashiro M, Fujio Y, Tanaka M, Yamatodani Y. Giant acquired fibrokeratoma of the nail bed. Dermatology. 1995;190(2):169–171.

5. Longhurst WD, Khachemoune A. An unknown mass: the differential diagnosis of digit tumors. Int J Dermatol. 2015;54(11):1214–1225.

This series is coordinated by John E. Delzell Jr., MD, MSPH, Assistant Medical Editor.

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