Keratoma from the frog corium of a horse

A keratoma is usually described as an aberrant, focal, proliferation of cornified tissue produced by abnormal corium on the inner surface of the hoof wall (Honnas et al. 2003). Keratomas have been regarded benign horn tumours (Wagner et al. 1986) although no true neoplastic tissue has ever been identified (Honnas et al. 2003). It is proposed that keratomas may be produced in response to chronic irritation (Lloyd et al. 1988). Surgical removal is the recommended treatment, and this usually carries a good prognosis (Bosch et al. 2004). This case report describes a keratoma of the frog corium (cunei corium) in a horse.