Keratinous debris
Keratinous debris can be seen in a number of contexts. It is a nonspecific finding in dermatopathology that should not be over interpreted.
Keratin flakes redirects here.
General
- Seen when the clinican cuts of the superficial aspect of a lesion.
Microscopic
Features:
- Keratinous material - key features.
- No significant quantity of epidermis.
- No dermis.
DDx:
- Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, keratinizing.
- Seborrheic keratosis.
- Actinic keratosis.
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SKIN LESION, LEFT POSTERIOR THIGH, SHAVE BIOPSY: - KERATINOUS DEBRIS, FRAGMENTS. COMMENT: The underlying tissue cannot be evaluated. Clinical correlation is required.
Alternate
Skin Lesion, Left Forehead, Biopsy: - Keratinous material with a small amount of epidermis without significant atypia, not further diagnostic, see comment. Comment: The tissue received is very superficial and precludes further diagnostic classification. The dermal-epidermal junction is not seen in the planes of section. The differential diagnosis includes (but is not limited to) hypertrophic actinic keratosis and well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. Complete excision of the lesion is recommended.