Skin

Can you identify this asymptomatic growth?

DAVID L. KAPLAN, MD—Series Editor
University of Missouri Kansas City, University of Kansas

DAVID L. KAPLAN, MD—Series Editor: Dr Kaplan is clinical assistant professor of dermatology at the University of Missouri Kansas City School of Medicine and at the University of Kansas School of Medicine. He practices adult and pediatric dermatology in Overland Park, Kan.

Volume 52 - Issue 10 - October 2012

verruca

One year ago, a 34-year-old woman cut her thumb with a knife while preparing dinner. This asymptomatic growth has developed at the site. She has no other lesions.

What is your diagnosis?

A. Blastomycosis.

B.Sporotrichosis.

C.Mycobacterium marinum infection.

D.Verruca.

E.Bowen’s disease.

(Answer on next page.)

verrucaAnswer: Verruca

The wart-like appearance of this patient’s lesion can suggest any of the diagnoses in the differential. However, blastomycosis, sporotrichosis, and Mycobacterium marinum infection often produce tender eruptions, and a Bowen’s lesion frequently bleeds with minimal trau- ma. This lesion was asymptomatic, and it did not bleed.

The finger cut created a portal for the virus that caused this verruca, D. Cryosurgery eradicated the wart.