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We report a case of hereditary palmoplantar keratosis (HPPK) causing a progressive reduction of the prehension capacity of the fingers due to the presence of hyperkeratotic lesions which had appeared approximately 25 years earlier. These lesions, also involving the soles, appeared yellowish in color, linear or round in shape, symmetrical and often confluent, developed prevalently at the pressure points displaying a non-transgrediens pattern. The histological examination, clinical picture and careful analysis of the literature enabled us to define this form as `keratosis palmoplantaris varians of Wachters'. As a contribution to a conclusive HPPK classification we discuss the differential diagnosis of this disorder most commonly identified through nummular-linear keratoses also known as Siemens' syndrome.

Papillon-Lefevre syndrome in six Saudi children in the same family is described. The parents were unaffected, and parental consanguinity was present. Palmoplantar keratosis started at the age of 1 1/2 years. The loss of deciduous teeth was a consequence of juvenile periodontitis. All essential features of the syndrome were present in this series.