ABSTRACT
Verruciform xanthoma (VX) is an uncommon benign mucocutaneous lesion of unknown etiology. It is essential to diagnose this lesion as a varied entity of utmost importance as clinically their appearance could range from a simple leukoplakia or papilloma to as grave as squamous cell carcinoma SCC. Although this lesion is of multifactorial pathogenesis, a viral etiology like human papilloma virus (HPV) has been suggested in some cases. This rare, harmless lesion usually presents as a sessile or pedunculated, pale yellowish-to-red, papillary, granular or verrucous mucosal growth. Histopathologically, VX is characterized by the presence of parakeratinzed epithelium showing papillary or verrucous growth with thin rete ridges and connective tissue papillae extending up to the surface. The papillae characteristically consist of foam cells, also called xanthoma cells. We report two cases of VX of varied clinical appearance but very similar and characteristic histopathological presentation to be diagnosed as VX. The clinical diagnosis, though may be challenging; the histopathological features are diagnostic and well-defined. It is also noteworthy that in an improper biopsy, xanthoma cells may be scanty and their presence can be missed, especially if one is unfamiliar with the existence of this lesion.
How to cite this article
Pawar VM, Patel S, Pathak J, Swain N. Verruciform Xanthoma-Histopathologically: A Distinct Entity. J Contemp Dent 2014;4(3):181-184.