A giant cutaneous horn of oral commissure: a case report

Abstract

Cutaneous horn is a conical, circumscribed, dense hyperkeratotic protrusion from skin with epithelial cornification. It is also known by the Latin name ‘Cornu cutaneum’. This rare medical entity resembles animal horn but histological disparity is present between both. They are more commonly present in sun exposed sites or areas that are prone for actinic radiation, burns and hence frequently seen in forearm and upper part of face. Only few cases have been reported with cutaneous horns in unusual sites. Cutaneous horns occurring in oral cavity or perioral regions are extremely rare. The significance of knowing about this dead keratinous cutaneous horn is that it may occur as a part of or in association with a wide range of underlying pathologies, either malignant, premalignant or benign. Majority are due to benign pathologies. We report an unusual presentation of cutaneous horn in left oral commissure of a 45-year-old gentleman which is an extremely rare perioral location for such an ailment.