Penile Cutaneous Horn: An Enigma-Newer Insights & Perspectives

Cutaneous horn refers to unusually cohesive keratinized material and not a true pathologic diagnosis. Though cutaneous horn has been described at various sites, horn over the penis is very rare and represents the most unusual site. The role of chronic irritation, phimosis, surgical trauma and radiotherapy have been implicated in penile horn formation. Penile horns present as elongated, keratinous, white or yellowish projections that range from a few millimeters to centimeters in size arising from the glans penis. Histopathology of the keratotic mass reveals nothing but keratin. The underlying mass may vary from verruca vulgaris to squamous cell carcinoma. The treatment is based on the pathology.

Below:  Hard keratotic mass arising from glans penis

Below: Penile horn

Read more at: http://ht.ly/SDHNC 

By: Kaliaperumal Karthikeyan
Department of Dermatology and STD, Sri Manakula Vinayagar Medical College and Hospital, Madagadipet, Puducherry, India