Section: Skin and soft tissue Sub-section: Benign skin and soft tissue] Curriculum: Curriculum, page 52
Definition
- Benign skin lesions caused by HPV
- Verrucae = Specifically plantar wart
Incidence
- Usually seen in children & young adults
Aetiology
- Viral: HPV (most commonly Type 1)
Clinical
- Round/oval fleshy elevated lesions
- Rough surfaces composed of multiple rounded / filiform keratinized projections
- Most common on fingers & hands
- Other locations: plantar (foot) warts, genital warts
Pathology
- Common type, filiform (protuberant on small stalk) or flat type
- Autoinoculable → Can result in multiple lesions / frequent recurrences
- Contagious
Diagnosis
- Clinical
Management
- 17% Salicylic acid → Keratolysis
- Liquid nitrogen application
- Laser Rx
- Surgical curettage
- Electrodessication – effective but followed by slow healing
- Surgical excision not recommended
- Wound may become inoculated with the virus → Recurrences in and around the scar
Prognosis
- May disappear spontaneously
