Giant Verrucae Vulgaris: Provoked by Long Term Topical Glucocorticoids?

Abstract

We report a 49-year-old man suffered from giant verrucae vulgaris over shin of his left leg. The lesion had arisen with some maculopapules and misdiagnosed as eczema 4 years previously. After 4 years continuous topical glucocorticoids treatment, the eruption had gradually progressed to a 5 × 5 cm sized plaque covered with some nodules and crusts. Histopathologic examination confirmed the diagnosis of giant verrucae vulgaris. The discontinue therapy with glucocorticoids stopped the development of the lesion, which was totally healed by cryotherapy and topical imiquimod 6 months late. We suggest that topical glucocorticoids continuously for a long-term may contribute to the formation of giant verrucae vulgaris. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4021/jmc813w