Palmoplantar epidermoid cysts: two cases and brief review of the literature

Abstract

Case SynopsisCase 1 An 82-year-old woman was referred for a painful nodule on her left sole, which had gradually enlarged over the prior 6 months. She denied a history of trauma . On physical examination, she exhibited a unique well-defined, skin-colored nodule on her left sole (Figure 1A). Ultrasonography revealed a hypoechoic, well-circumscribed oval nodule measuring 21mm in maximum diameter. On color

Epidermoid Cyst of Sole

“…The first alternative is the superinfection by blunt penetrating wounds (penetrating warts located on the skin surface), while the second theory is metaplasia of the eccrine duct epithelium in response to infection. It is theorized that HPV infects the upper part of the eccrine duct, where warts develop, then migrates to the dermal part of the eccrine duct, and eventually leading to epidermoid cyst formation (3,5). In addition, the relationship between HPV 6, 8, 11, and 60 with nonpalmoplantar epidermoid cysts has also been suggested (3).…”

“…Epidermoid cysts are also known as epidermal cysts, epidermal inclusion cysts, epithelial cysts, keratin cysts, implantation cysts, atheroma cysts, or infundibular cysts (1,2). This cyst is intradermal or subcutaneous, and clinically this cyst is round, soft, elevated or protrude, moveable from the surrounding tissue, and grow slowly (1,3). Epidermoid cysts can occur at any age but are more common in adulthood and occur over a wide age range, from birth until 72 years of age.…”

“…However, epidermoid cysts are more common in the third and fourth decades of life (4). Men and women can be affected with the same incidence, but a study found that male sufferers were twice higher than women (3).…”

Clinicopathologic features of epidermoid cysts in the upper and lower extremities, including a case of malignant transformation in the palmoplantar region

“…Epidermoid cysts can also be found in the palmoplantar regions which lack hair follicles [5][6][7]. The pathophysiological mechanisms of these palmoplantar epidermal cysts remain unclear.…”

“…The recurrence rate has been reported to be higher in the soles and palms than in other regions [12,16,23]. In general, differential diagnoses of epidermoid cysts in the hands and feet include warts, calluses, neuromas, ganglion cysts, fibromas, and lipomas [2,7]. The majority of epidermoid cysts are painless enlarging masses on the palmar aspect of the fingers.…”