title: [Multiple epidermolytic acanthomas of the genitalia].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Epidermolytic hyperkeratosis presents a particular histological image common to several clinical pictures, including that of keratinopathic ichthyoses. It may also occur fortuitously in various tumoral and inflammatory lesions. It is the elementary histopathological lesion of epidermolytic acanthoma, which may either be single or multiple, and when it occurs in the genital area, is known as epidermolytic hyperkeratosis of the genitalia or multiple epidermolytic acanthoma of the genitalia. Herein, we report two characteristic cases of epidermolytic hyperkeratosis of the genitalia.
  
  
  METHODS
  The first patient was a 50-year-old woman consulting for vulvar pain in whom clinical examination revealed the presence of multiple papules on the labia majora and minora. The second patient was a 44-year-old man consulting for verrucous lesions of the scrotum. In both cases, biopsy revealed an histopathological aspect identical with acanthosis, hyperkeratosis, changes in the keratinocytes, in which the cytoplasm contained clear vacuoles, numerous keratohyalin granules and eosinophilic bodies, resulting in a diagnosis of epidermolytic hyperkeratosis of the genitalia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Epidermolytic hyperkeratosis of the genitalia is a rare disease, occurring in middle-aged men and women, but chiefly men. The lesions found on the genital organs may be either single, or, more frequently, multiple, and are described as hyperkeratotic papules, which are also reported under the term multiple epidermolytic acanthomas of the genitalia. The aetiology is unknown; certain authors incriminate a traumatic factor; the role of human papillomavirus (HPV) has been suggested but immunohistochemical studies and molecular biology studies generally reveal no viral DNA. Where lesions cause discomfort to the patient, treatment consists of emollients combined with destruction by cryotherapy or CO2 laser. Imiquimod, calcipotriol, tacrolimus and pimecrolimus have all resulted in regression of lesions.
authors: Cabinet de dermatopathologie Mathurin, 35, avenue Mathurin-Moreau, 75008 Paris, France. Electronic address: imoulonguetmichau@gmail.com.
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Moulonguet
authors: Cabinet de dermatologie, 31, rue de Naples, 75008 Paris, France.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Serre
authors: Cabinet de dermatologie, 96, avenue de Saint-Ouen, 75018 Paris, France.
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Herskovitch
mesh_terms: D049309:Acanthoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D000328:Adult; D003218:Condylomata Acuminata / Q000175:diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005834:Genital Neoplasms, Male / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D017488:Hyperkeratosis, Epidermolytic / Q000209:etiology*; D008010:Lichen Planus / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009378:Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D012611:Scrotum / Q000473:pathology*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D014846:Vulvar Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis
keywords: Acanthome épidermolytique; Acanthomes épidermolytiques génitaux; Epidermolytic acanthoma; Epidermolytic acanthomas of the genitalia; Epidermolytic hyperkeratosis; Genitalia; Hyperkératose épidermolytique; Hyperkératose épidermolytique génitale; Organes génitaux