Keratotic Horn

Definition

• Hard conical projection from the skin, made of compact keratin.
• They arise from benign, premalignant or malignant skin lesions.

Aetiology

• 50% from benign lesion
  • Seborrhoeic keratosis
  • Epidermal naevus
  • Viral warts (due to human papillomavirus)
  • Keratoacanthoma
• 50% from malignant or pre-malignant
  • Actinic keratosis
  • Well-differentiated Squamous cell carcinoma
  • Melanoma

Management

• Histological examination of the horn base is crucial to rule out malignancy