Epidermolytic palmoplantar keratoderma of Vörner: is it the most frequent type of hereditary palmoplantar keratoderma?

In a retrospective study, we reevaluated the biopsies that had been obtained, during the past 11 years, from 26 patients presenting with hereditary palmoplantar keratoderma (PPK). Twelve out of 26 biopsies disclosed the histological features of epidermolytic hyperkeratosis, consistent with the diagnosis of epidermolytic PPK of Vörner. A review of the histologically examined cases of the literature revealed a comparable predominance of this hereditary PPK. We conclude that, in contrast to the current opinion, epidermolytic PPK of Vörner represents the most frequent type of hereditary PPK.