Differentiating Verruca Plana and Palmoplantar Keratoderma by Comparing Clinical Features

Background: Distinguishing verruca plana (VP) from certain types of palmoplantar keratoderma (PPK) can pose challenges as there are few prior investigations. Objective: This study aimed to enhance the differentiation between VP and PPK by analyzing their clinical characteristics. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study involving patients diagnosed with VP, or PPK based on biopsy results. Results: We identified 38 cases with VP/PPK-like lesions on their hands. Among them, ten (26.3%) were diagnosed with VP, while 15 (39.5%) were diagnosed with PPK. VP lesions predominantly manifested on the dorsum of the hand, whereas PPK was primarily observed on the palm, and dorsum. Erythematous, or brownish-colored lesions were more commonly associated with VP, while PPK lesions typically presented as flesh-colored. Conclusion: By comparing the clinical distinctions between VP, and PPK, we aim to provide valuable insights to facilitate the differentiation of these two conditions, which can sometimes be diagnostically challenging.