Spiny keratoderma

Spiny keratoderma is a descriptive term used to encompass a variety of unus ual, disparate keratodermas. Spiny keratoderma has been associated with lip id abnormalities and has been limited to the palms and soles in some indivi duals. We describe an acquired case of spiny keratoderma in which an adult woman developed filiform lesions predominating on the trunk and proximal ex tremities. Treatment with topical emollients and keratolytic agents was uns uccessful, but topical tazarotene led to long periods of resolution. She ha s had no other associated abnormalities. The clinical features and differen tial diagnosis of spiny keratoderma are reviewed.