Histological differential diagnosis of verruca vulgaris: A systematic review

Abstract

The diagnosis of Verruca Vulgaris is usually clinically, but, in certain situations, confirmation of the diagnosis with biopsy is needed. Several dermatological conditions share microscopic features with Verruca Vulgaris; however, the combination of history, dermatological examination, and histological description would confirm the diagnosis. The purpose of this study is to describe pathological conditions that share histological characteristics with verruca Vulgaris. A systematic review of the literature was used in this study. The histological differential diagnosis of verruca Vulgaris was divided into two categories. First, dermatological conditions that characterized by the presence of vacuolated cells; these conditions are Bowen’s Disease and Epidermodysplasia Verruciformis. Second, dermatological conditions that show papillomatosis which includes Verrucous Epidermal Nevus, Hyperkeratotic Seborrheic keratosis, and Acanthosis Nigricans Verruciform xanthoma, Confluent and reticulated papillomatosis.