VERRUCIFORM XANTHOMA OF THE VULVA - A CASE-REPORT

Verruciform xanthoma is a benign lesion of the oral cavity and skin, w hich is characterized by aggregates of bland foamy histiocytes (xantho ma cells) within the connective tissue and underlying acanthotic, para keratotic hyperplastic epithelium with elongated rete ridges. We descr ibe a rare case of vulval verruciform xanthoma in an 84-year-old, whic h was clinically mistaken for malignant tumor. Immunohistochemistry co nfirmed the histiocytic nature of the foamy cells and electron microsc opy showed the cytoplasmic vacuoles to contain lipid. A finding as yet undocumented in the literature was the presence of foamy histiocytes within the draining lymph nodes. This case highlights clinical mimicry of a malignant tumor by anogenital verruciform xanthoma.