Treatment of nevoid hyperkeratosis of the nipple and areola by shave excision

The case is presented of a 29-year-old female who, at the age of 13 years, developed bilateral verrucous thickening of her areolae. Despite the condition causing her significant psychosocial morbidity, a specialist referral was initially denied on the grounds that no treatment was apparently available. The condition progressively deteriorated over the subsequent 14 years. She was eventually referred for a dermatology opinion, and the diagnosis of nevoid hyperkeratosis was made. Topical therapy with keratolytics was unsuccessful, and she was referred for a plastic surgery review. Bilateral shave excision of the lesion was performed under general anesthesia, with a satisfactory outcome and no evidence of recurrence at 10 months.