+ General Considerations
- Benign epithelial proliferation arising from superficial epithelium between hair follicles
- Small to moderate size with pore containing keratin ± hair follicles
- Rupture produces a severe pyogranulomatous dermatitis due to the keratin contents of the cyst
- Cytology: keratinous debris, clusters of squamous cells ± cholesterol crystals
- 1 case reported in the cat
- Intracutaneous cornifying epithelioma is common in dogs
- Sex predisposition: males
- 2 distinct clinical patterns for intracutaneous cornifying epithelioma: solitary and generalized
+ Solitary Intracutaneous Cornifying Epithelioma
- Solitary form is more common in purebred dogs along the back, neck, thorax, and shoulders
- Treatment: surgery
- Prognosis: good
+ Generalized Intracutaneous Cornifying Epithelioma
- Norwegian Elkhound and Keeshond are predisposed to the generalized or multicentric form
- Treatment: cryosurgery or retinoids (etretinate is better than isotretinoin)
- Prognosis: guarded to good with 71% complete response and 29% to retinoids, but recurrence is common following cessation of treatment
INTRACUTANEOUS CORNIFYING EPITHELIOMA