Epidermodysplasia Verruciformis

EPIDERMODYSPLASIA VERRUCIFORMIS, wart-like dysplasia of the epidermis (synonyms: verrucosis generalisata, verrucae disseminatae), widespread warty condition; a very rare skin disease, first described in 1922 by Lewandowsky and Lutz. Almost the entire skin of patients is covered with pale pink, pinkish-brown, skin-colored papules, often merging, very much resembling flat warts (see); on the backs of the hands, the eruptions have a coarser character, resembling ordinary vulgar warts. E. v. mostly appears in childhood, sometimes existing from birth; there are no subjective sensations. Histologically, there is limited uniform thickening of the epidermis (due to the horny and prickle cell layers) with a peculiar vacuolizing degeneration of the cells of Malpighian layer. In differential diagnosis, Darier's disease should be taken into account mainly. Lewandowsky, Lutz, Darier and others consider E. v. a congenital anomaly; Hidaka sees in it a variety of Darier's disease; Hoffmann, Kogoj and others - ordinary but very widespread warty condition. Treatment (including X-ray) is usually unsuccessful.