Giant scalp cutaneous horn in black Malawian adult: A case report

Abstract

Background: Cutenous horn is a common disease entity in European Caucasians and other populations in Asia, far-east, and North America. By far reported cases involving black Africans are exceedingly few. This presentation therefore is aimed to yet document another occurrence of a rare case from Malawi involving an adult black African male with scalp cutenous horn. Also to sensitise Clinicians in our environment to be aware of the fact that cutenous horn does exist in black African populations, and should be considered when evaluating patients with dermatological conditions. This is a case description, including clinical and histopathological features of a patient seen at Zomba Central hospital, south east Malawi in April 2008.
Case report: A 43 years old Malawian male with dark African complexion presented to Zomba Central hospital with long standing history of a giant scalp cutenous horn for about 28 years .Excision and scalp reconstruction were successfully done. Histology showed compacted keratin lying on a craten form base with papillomatosis and cutenous horn formation. No evidence of malignancy
Conclusion: Clinicians in our environment should be aware of the fact that Cutenous horn or cornu cutaneum does exist in black African populations and should be thought of when evaluating patients with dermatological conditions.