Spiny Keratoderma: Clinical and Histopathological Findings in a Series of 3 Cases

Abstract

Spiny keratoderma is a rare entity presenting with minute keratotic spines on the palms and soles. Spiny keratoderma can be inherited or acquired, and the acquired form may be associated with underlying malignancy or systemic disease. Clinically, the differential diagnosis includes other digitate keratoses on acral sites, most notably arsenical keratosis, filiform verruca, and punctate porokeratosis. Biopsy findings typically include a column of parakeratosis overlying a diminished granular cell layer. In this article, we present 3 cases of acquired spiny keratoderma in patients with various systemic diseases, but no underlying malignancy.