Keratinous debris

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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:

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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.

See also