Plantar Myrmecia Wart: A Rare Case Report With Clinicopathologic Correlation and Literature Review

Myrmecia warts are a clinicopathological variant of deep palmoplantar warts caused by human papillomavirus type 1 (HPV 1), most commonly presenting on the plantar and palmar surfaces. The histopathological hallmark of these lesions is hyperkeratosis, acanthosis, papillomatosis with characteristic large intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies. We report a rare case of plantar Myrmecia wart in a 47-year-old male presenting with a solitary, slow-growing, exophytic verrucous lesion over the plantar aspect of the right foot of four years' duration. Given its chronicity, verrucous morphology, and lack of pigmentation, amelanotic melanoma was considered an important differential, prompting punch biopsy for confirmation. Histopathological examination revealed inclusion bodies confirming its diagnosis as Myrmecia warts and excluding malignancy. The patient was managed with radiofrequency ablation along with intralesional vitamin D3 and oral zinc sulphate. This case, along with a review of the literature, aims to consolidate existing k/nowledge on this entity in a single reference for the reader.