Epidermodysplasia Verruciformis: A Case Report

Epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EDV) is a rare, inherited disorder that is characterized by an increased susceptibility to infection with specific human papilloma viruses (HPV) and a greater propensity for developing malignant skin tumors. A 26 years old Nepalese male patient presented with complaints of multiple asymptomatic raised warty lesions on bilateral hands and multiple light colored flat to raised lesions present over the neck, trunk, bilateral extremities sparing the face and genitals.A skin biopsy was performed which revealed hyperkeratosis, focal parakeratosis, acanthosis, keratinocytes were swollen and irregularly shaped, had abundant basophilic cytoplasm and contained numerous round basophilic keratohyaline granules. Nuclei were large, round and empty with marginal distribution of chromatin, some were pyknotic. Epidermodysplasiaverruciformis is a rare inherited disorder spread by HPV. It is characterized by hypopigmented or hyperpigmented macular lesions, pityriasis versicolor-like lesions and an early tendency to develop skin malignancies. The management of EDV includes early diagnosis, sun protection, life-long observation for the malignant transformation and therapeutic modalities like acitretin, imiquimod, topical retinoids, cryotherapy, etc.