Management of cutaneous verruciform xanthoma

Verruciform xanthoma is an uncommon mucocutaneous condition of uncertain cause that only occasionally affects the skin. The histopathology is distinctive for the presence of foamy histiocytes present within elongated dermal papillae. Although simple excision of intraoral lesions is reportedly curative, treatment of cutaneous lesions has not been previously reported. We describe a 62-year-old man with a large lesion of verruciform xanthoma affecting both inguinal folds. Immunohistochemical staining, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction for human papilloma virus, and ultrastructural analysis were performed to investigate the pathogenesis of this lesion. The results of these studies support the theory that the source of lipid in dermal histiocytes is degenerating keratinocytes. Initial treatment with wire loop electrosection, pulsed dye (585 nm) laser, and x-ray therapy of this patient proved unsuccessful. Preliminary success has been achieved using wide surgical excision with primary closure.