Nasal vestibular huge keratoacanthoma: an unusual site

Pak J Biol Sci. 2009 Oct 15;12(20):1385-7. doi: 10.3923/pjbs.2009.1385.1387.

Abstract

Keratoacanthoma (KA) is a rapidly growing, low-grade neoplasm of pilo-sebaceous and hair follicle units which most often appears on the sun-exposed skin of the middle aged and older persons with multiple or localized occurrence. This tumor is dome-shaped nodule with a central keratinous plug. The etiology of this tumor is not obvious. Exposure to excessive sunlight is the most frequently noted responsible factor in the etiology of KA. About 80% of the tumors occur on the face. The histological features of the KA are often very similar to those of a cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma; however, the tumor structure usually provides a basis for their difference. There are many unusual cases of keratoacanthoma reported regarding site, size or other specifications. In this study, we excised a mass of nasal vestibule, a site far away sun-exposure. To our knowledge, this is the first case of nasal vestibular keratoacanthoma. For a clinician and a pathologist it is important to consider a benign lesion like Keratoacanthoma (KA) in the differential diagnosis of ulcerated nasal lesions and pay attention to differ it from Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) which has a different and aggressive management.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Biopsy
  • Humans
  • Keratoacanthoma / etiology
  • Keratoacanthoma / pathology*
  • Keratoacanthoma / surgery
  • Male
  • Nasal Cavity / pathology*
  • Nose Diseases / etiology
  • Nose Diseases / pathology*
  • Nose Diseases / surgery
  • Skin Diseases / pathology*
  • Treatment Outcome