Coronavirus is Not the Only Corona We Know in Dermatology

Abstract

© 2021 Indian Dermatology Online Journal | Published by Wolters Kluwer Medknow Nowadays, everyone is aware of the word “corona” in the wake of the COVID‐19 global pandemic. “Corona” is a Latin word which means “crown or garland”. Coronaviruses have a crown or halo‐like appearance of their envelope glycoproteins.[1] Few body structures and dermatoses also share the name corona. This article summarises all such structures and diseases. 1. Corona of the glans penis and Papillae Coronae Glandis It refers to the circumference of the base of the glans penis which forms a rounded projecting border, overhanging a deep retroglandular sulcus.[2] Diseases such as lichen planus, lichen sclerosus, pearly penile papules, porokeratosis, scabies, psoriasis, angiokeratoma can develop on the corona of the penis. Pearly penile papules (PPP) are benign lesions of the penis, which are considered to be normal anatomic variants and might constitute the vestigial remnants of penile snipes seen in primates and other mammals. PPP present as flesh or white‐colored dome‐shaped papules or filiform lesions arranged in rows around the corona of the glans penis. PPP is also known as papillae coronae glandis, papillomatosis corona penis, corona capillitii, hirsuties coronae glandis, and hirsutoid papillomas. Lichen nitidus and molluscum contagiosum are important differential diagnoses. Since the lesions are benign and asymptomatic, no active intervention is required and counselling may suffice.[3] 2. Corona Unguicularis (CU) or the spines of the terminal phalanges of digits. Radiographically, erosions of CU can be seen in psoriatic arthritis with digital phalangeal involvement.[4] 3. Corona Veneris Papular syphilide of secondary syphilis, refers to lesions along the anterior Address for correspondence: Dr. Niharika Jha, A‐51 Swasthya Vihar, Vikas Marg, Delhi ‐ 110092, India. E‐mail: niharikajha88@gmail. com