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'''Scope''': This article deals with skin conditions where inflammation is the main finding, excluding '''[[suspected malignant skin excisions]]''' (where inflammation is often a concurrent finding).


==Sampling==
==Sampling==
*For [[punch biopsies]], a size of 4 mm is preferred for most inflammatory dermatoses.<ref name="Alsaad2005">{{cite journal|last1=Alsaad|first1=K O|title=My approach to superficial inflammatory dermatoses|journal=Journal of Clinical Pathology|volume=58|issue=12|year=2005|pages=1233–1241|issn=0021-9746|doi=10.1136/jcp.2005.027151}}</ref>
*For [[punch biopsies]], a size of 4 mm is preferred for most inflammatory dermatoses.<ref name="Alsaad2005">{{cite journal|last1=Alsaad|first1=K O|title=My approach to superficial inflammatory dermatoses|journal=Journal of Clinical Pathology|volume=58|issue=12|year=2005|pages=1233–1241|issn=0021-9746|doi=10.1136/jcp.2005.027151}}</ref>
*Panniculitis or cutaneous lymphoproliferative disorders: 6 mm punch biopsy or [[skin excision]].<ref name="Alsaad2005"/>
*Panniculitis or cutaneous lymphoproliferative disorders: 6 mm punch biopsy or [[skin excision]].<ref name="Alsaad2005" />
A superficial or shave biopsy is regarded as insufficient.<ref name="Alsaad2005"/>
 
A superficial or shave biopsy is regarded as insufficient.<ref name="Alsaad2005" />
 
{{Fixation - standard}}


==Fixation==
*Suspected '''immunologic disease''':<ref name="ChhabraMinz2012">Page 678 in: {{cite journal|last1=Chhabra|first1=Seema|last2=Minz|first2=RanjanaWalker|last3=Saikia|first3=Biman|title=Immunofluorescence in dermatology|journal=Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology, and Leprology|volume=78|issue=6|year=2012|pages=677|issn=0378-6323|doi=10.4103/0378-6323.102355|url=https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/23d0/148dbe342a93e0bc65a6a2e31040a89113ba.pdf}}</ref> Fixation for immunofluorescence, with for example [[Michel's solution]].<ref name="kvast">{{cite web|url=http://www.svfp.se/foreningar/uploads/L15178/kvast/hud/Handlaggning%20av%20hudprover%20%20provtagningsanvisningar%20utskarningsprinciper%20och%20snittning%2020150325.pdf|title=Handläggning av hudprover – provtagningsanvisningar, utskärningsprinciper och snittning (Handling of skin samples - Instructions for sampling, cutting and incision|author=Katarzyna Lundmark, Krynitz, Ismini Vassilaki, Lena Mölne, Annika Ternesten Bratel|accessdate=2019-09-09|website=KVAST (Swedish Society of Pathology)}}</ref> ''For details, see [[immunofluorescense of skin tissues]]''
{{Skin fixation, minimal}}
{{Fixation - general notes}}
*Suspected '''immunologic disease''':<ref name="ChhabraMinz2012">Page 678 in: {{cite journal|last1=Chhabra|first1=Seema|last2=Minz|first2=RanjanaWalker|last3=Saikia|first3=Biman|title=Immunofluorescence in dermatology|journal=Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology, and Leprology|volume=78|issue=6|year=2012|pages=677|issn=0378-6323|doi=10.4103/0378-6323.102355|url=https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/23d0/148dbe342a93e0bc65a6a2e31040a89113ba.pdf}}</ref> Fixation for immunofluorescence, with for example [[Michel's solution]].<ref name=kvast/> ''For details, see [[immunofluorescense of skin tissues]]''
{{Gross processing of skin lesions with benign appearance}}


==Staining==
==Staining==
3 H&E sections and one section with periodic acid Schiff (PAS)<ref group="notes">PAS is for evaluation of the epidermal basement membrane, blood vessels, and the presence of fungal organisms</ref><ref name="Alsaad2005"/>
3 H&E sections and one section with periodic acid Schiff (PAS)<ref group="note">PAS is for evaluation of the epidermal basement membrane, blood vessels, and the presence of fungal organisms</ref><ref name="Alsaad2005" />
*If suspected bacterial and fungal microorganisms, consider Gram stain and Gomori methenamine silver stain.<ref name="Alsaad2005"/>
 
*If suspected bacterial and fungal microorganisms, consider Gram stain and Gomori methenamine silver stain.<ref name="Alsaad2005" />


==Microscopic evaluation==
==Microscopic evaluation==
One approach is to classify into mainly either of the following, primarily based on depth of involvement:<ref name="Alsaad2005"/>
One approach is to classify into mainly either of the following, primarily based on depth of involvement:<ref name="Alsaad2005" />
 
*Epidermis, papillary dermis, and superficial vascular plexus:
*Epidermis, papillary dermis, and superficial vascular plexus:
:*Vesiculobullous lesions
:*Vesiculobullous lesions
:*Pustular dermatosis
:*Pustular dermatosis
:*Non vesicullobullous, non-pustular
:*Non vesicullobullous, non-pustular
::*With epidermal changes
::*With epidermal changes
::*Without epidermal changes. These characteristically have a superficial perivascular inflammatory infiltrate, and can be classified by type of cell infiltrate:<ref name="Alsaad2005"/>
::*Without epidermal changes. These characteristically have a superficial perivascular inflammatory infiltrate, and can be classified by type of cell infiltrate:<ref name="Alsaad2005" />
:::*Lymphocytic (most common)
:::*Lymphocytic (most common)
:::*Lymphoeosinophilic
:::*Lymphoeosinophilic
Line 31: Line 39:
:::*Lymphohistiocytic
:::*Lymphohistiocytic
:::*Neutrophilic
:::*Neutrophilic
*No visible pathology
Continue in corresponding section:
Continue in corresponding section:


===Non vesicullobullous, non-pustular lesions with epidermal changes===
===Non vesicullobullous, non-pustular lesions with epidermal changes===
{|class="wikitable"
====Spongiotic dermatitis====
! Main types<ref name="Alsaad2005"/> !! Characteristics !! Image
It is characterized by epithelial intercellular edema.<ref name="Alsaad2005" />
{| class="wikitable"
! rowspan="2" !! colspan="3" | Characteristics !! rowspan="2" | Micrograph !! rowspan="2" | Photograph
|-
|-
! Spongiotic dermatitis || ||  
| Acute || Subacute || Chronic
|-
|-
| Interface dermatitis || ||  
! Generally/Not otherwise specified<ref group="note" name="not-otherwise-specified" />
| Typical findings:<ref name="Alsaad2005" />
 
*Variable degree of epidermal spongiosis and vesicle formation, filled with proteinaceous fluid containing lymphocytes and histiocytes.
*Usually superficial dermal edema with perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate, with exocytosis.
*No acanthosis or parakeratosis.
| Typical findings:<ref name="Alsaad2005" />
 
*Mild to moderate spongiosis and exocytosis of inflammatory cells
*Irregular acanthosis and parakeratosis.
*Superficial dermal perivascular lymphohistiocytic infiltrate
*Swelling of endothelial cells
*Papillary dermal edema are present
| Typical findings:<ref name="Alsaad2005" />
 
*The spongiosis is mild to absent
*Pronounced irregular acanthosis, hyperkeratosis, and parakeratosis
*Minimal dermal inflammation and exocytosis of inflammatory cells are present.
*Possibly fibrosis of papillary dermis
 
PAS stain is essential to exclude fungal infection.<ref name="Alsaad2005" />
| [[File:Micrograph of subacute spongiotic dermatitis.jpg|190px]] Subacute
|  
|-
|-
| Psoriaform dermatitis || ||  
! Allergic/contact dermatitis or atopic dermatitis
| As above. Eosinophils may be present in the dermis and epidermis (eosinophilic spongiosis).<ref name="Alsaad2005" />
|
|
| [[File:Spongiotic dermatitis from drug allergy.jpg|190px]] Allergic dermatitis
| [[File:Eczema (14100950936).jpg|190px]] Atopic dermatitis
|-
! Seborrheic dermatitis
| Typical findings:<ref name="pathologyoutlines">{{cite web|url=https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/skinnontumorseborrheicdermatitis.html|title=Skin inflammatory (nontumor) > Spongiotic, psoriasiform and pustular reaction patterns > Seborrheic dermatitis|author=Mowafak Hamodat|website=PathologyOutlines.com}} Topic Completed: 1 August 2011. Revised: 26 March 2019 </ref>
 
*Focal, usually mild, spongiosis with overlying scale crust, with a few neutrophils
*The crust is often centered on a follicle
*The papillary dermis is generally mildly edematous
*Dilated blood vessels in the superficial vascular plexus
*Mild superficial perivascular infiltrate of lymphocytes, histiocytes and occasional neutrophils. There is some exocytosis of inflammatory cells but not as prominent as in nummular dermatitis
| Typical findings:<ref name="pathologyoutlines" />
 
*Psoriasiform hyperplasia, initially slight, with mild spongiosis
*Usually numerous yeast-like organisms in the surface keratin
*Same changes as seen in acute stage.
| Typical findings:<ref name="pathologyoutlines" />
 
*More pronounced psoriasiform hyperplasia
*Only minimal spongiosis
*Presence of scaling crusts in a folliculocentric distribution, distinguishes from psoriasis.
|
| [[File:Seborrhoeic dermatitis example.jpg|190px]]
|}
 
In addition to above, an unspecific spongiotic dermatitis can be consistent with nummular dermatitis, dyshidrotic dermatitis, Id reaction, dermatophytosis, miliaria, Gianotti-Crosti syndrome and pityriasis rosea.<ref name="Alsaad2005" /><ref group="note" name="not-otherwise-specified" />
 
====Interface dermatitis====
These are sorted into either:<ref name="Alsaad2005" />
 
*Interface dermatitis with vacuolar change
*Interface dermatitis with lichenoid inflammation
 
=====Interface dermatitis with vacuolar change=====
{{Table of causes of vacuolar interface dermatitis}}
An interface dermatitis with vacuolar alteration, not otherwise specified, may be caused by viral exanthems, phototoxic dermatitis, acute radiation dermatitis, erythema dyschromicum perstans, lupus erythematosus and dermatomyositis.<ref name="Alsaad2005" />
 
{{Further|Vacuolar interface dermatitis}}
 
=====Interface dermatitis with lichenoid inflammation=====
{| class="wikitable"
! Main conditions<ref name="Alsaad2005" /> !! Characteristics !! Micrograph !! Photograph
|-
! Generally/Not otherwise specified
| Typical findings:<ref name="Alsaad2005" />
 
*In the papillary dermis: a confluent, band-like, dense inflammation of mainly small lymphocytes and a few histiocytes, along or hugging the dermoepidermal junction.
*Often vacuolar degeneration of basal keratinocytes and apoptotic bodies (colloid or Civatte bodies).
|  ||
|-
! Lichen planus
| Irregular epidermal hyperplasia with a jagged “sawtooth” appearance, compact hyperkeratosis or orthokeratosis, foci of wedge-shaped hypergranulosis, basilar vacuolar degeneration, slight spongiosis in the spinous layer, and squamatization. The dermal papillae between the elongated rete ridges are frequently dome shaped. Necrotic keratinocytes can be observed in the basal layer of the epidermis and at the dermal-epidermal junction. Eosinophilic remnants of anucleate apoptotic basal cells may also be found in the dermis and are referred to as “colloid or civatte bodies”. Whickham striae are usually seen in the areas of hypergranulosis. Vacuolar degeneration at the basal layer may be noted leading to focal subepidermal clefts (Max Joseph spaces). Squamatization occurs as a result of maturation and flattening of cells in the basal layer. It happens in areas of marked hypergranulosis with prominence of the sawtooth pattern of rete ridges. Wedge-shaped hypergranulosis can occur in the eccrine ducts (acrosyringia) or hair follicles (acrotrichia). In the hypertrophic subtype, the associated hyperkeratosis, parakeratosis, hypergranulosis, papillomatosis, acanthosis, and hyperplasia markedly increased with thicker collagen bundles forming in the dermis. Moreover, the rete ridges are more elongated and rounded as opposed to the typical sawtooth pattern. In atrophic LP, loss of the rete ridges and dermal fibrosis is prominent. In vesiculobullous LP, the disease progression is quicker. Hence, some of the distinctive features such as hyperkeratosis, hypergranulosis, or dense lymphocytic dermal-epidermal infiltrate may not be present. LP lesion may resolve with residual hyperpigmentation caused by a persistent increase in the number of melanophages in the papillary dermis.<ref name="GorouhiDavari2014">{{cite journal|last1=Gorouhi|first1=Farzam|last2=Davari|first2=Parastoo|last3=Fazel|first3=Nasim|title=Cutaneous and Mucosal Lichen Planus: A Comprehensive Review of Clinical Subtypes, Risk Factors, Diagnosis, and Prognosis|journal=The Scientific World Journal|volume=2014|year=2014|pages=1–22|issn=2356-6140|doi=10.1155/2014/742826}}<br>- [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)]</ref>
| [[File:Histopathology of lichen planus.jpg|190px]] || [[File:Lichen planus 1.jpg|190px]]
|-
! Lichenoid drug reaction
|
Can virtually be indistinguishable from cutaneous LP both clinically and histopathologically.
 
*Typically, lesions have a photodistribution in the absence of oral mucosal involvement.<ref name="GorouhiDavari2014" />
*Characteristically parakeratosis, a dermal eosinophilic infiltrate, and a perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate affecting the reticular dermis.
*Epidermal changes are less common in lichenoid drug eruptions when compared to classic lichen planus. However, a higher concentration of necrotic keratinocyte and eosinophils in the infiltrate can be helpful in distinguishing lichenoid drug reaction from cutaneous lichen planus. A lengthy interval between the commencement of drug therapy and the onset of lesions does not exclude a diagnosis of lichenoid drug reaction. Resolution of the lesions often occurs within weeks to months after discontinuation of the offending drug.<ref name="GorouhiDavari2014" />
| [[File:Histopathology of lichenoid drug reaction.jpg|190px]] ||
|-
! Lichen nitidus
|
*Localized granulomatous lymphohistiocytic infiltrate in an expanded dermal papilla.
*Thinning of overlying epidermis and downward extension of the rete ridges at the lateral margin of the infiltrate, resulting in a typical "claw clutching a ball" appearance.<ref name="Mutairi">{{cite journal |vauthors=Al-Mutairi N, Hassanein A, Nour-Eldin O, Arun J |title=Generalized lichen nitidus |journal=Pediatr Dermatol |volume=22 |issue=2 |pages=158–60 |year=2005 |pmid=15804308 |doi=10.1111/j.1525-1470.2005.22215.x |url=}}</ref>
| [[File:Histopathology of lichen nitidus.jpg|190px]] || [[File:Photography of lichen nitidus.jpg|190px]]
|-
! Lichen amyloidosus
| Presence of amyloid, possibly with direct immunofluorescence and Congo red staining.<ref name="ShenoiBalachandran2005">{{cite journal|last1=Shenoi|first1=SD|last2=Balachandran|first2=C|last3=Mehta|first3=VandanaRai|last4=Salim|first4=T|title=Lichen amyloidosus: A study of clinical, histopathologic and immunofluorescence findings in 30 cases|journal=Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology|volume=71|issue=3|year=2005|pages=166|issn=0378-6323|doi=10.4103/0378-6323.16230}}</ref>
| [[File:Histopathology of lichen amyloidosis with Congo red.jpg|thumb|190px|Congo red.]]
|}
Interface dermatitis with lichenoid inflammation, not otherwise specified, can be caused by lichen planus-like keratosis, lichenoid actinic keratosis,  lichenoid lupus erythematosus, lichenoid GVHD (chronic GVHD), pigmented purpuric dermatosis, pityriasis rosea, and pityriasis lichenoides chronica.<ref name="Alsaad2005" /> Unusual conditions that can be associated with a lichenoid inflammatory cell infiltrate are HIV dermatitis, syphilis, mycosis fungoides, urticaria pigmentosa, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.<ref name="Alsaad2005" /> In cases of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, it is important to exclude potentially harmful mimics such as a regressed melanocytic lesion or lichenoid pigmented actinic keratosis.<ref name="Alsaad2005" />
 
====Psoriaform dermatitis====
Examining multiple deeper levels is recommended if initial cuts do not correlate well with the clinical history.<ref name="Alsaad2005" />
 
Psoriaform dermatitis typically displays:<ref name="Alsaad2005" />
 
*Regular epidermal hyperplasia, elongation of the rete ridges, hyperkeratosis, and parakeratosis.
*Usually:A superficial perivascular inflammatory infiltrate
*Often: Thinning of epidermal cells overlying the tips of dermal papillae (suprapapillary plates), and dilated, tortuous blood vessels within these papillae
 
Further histopathologic diagnosis is performed by the following parameters:
{| class="wikitable"
|+Psoriasiform dermatitis<ref name="Alsaad2005" />
! Condition !! Hyperkeratosis !! Parakeratosis !! Acanthosis !! Suprapapillary plate !! Spinous cell layer changes !! Other distinctive feature !! Micrograph
|-
! Psoriasis
| Present || Diffuse || Regular || Thin || Increased mitoses; minimal spongiosis<br>Clubbed rete pegs<ref name="Kunz2009">{{cite journal|vauthors=Kunz M, Ibrahim SM |title=Cytokines and cytokine profiles in human autoimmune diseases and animal models of autoimmunity|journal=Mediators of Inflammation|year=2009|volume=2009|pages=1–20|pmid=19884985|pmc=2768824|doi=10.1155/2009/979258}}</ref> <ref name="Raychaudhuri2014">{{cite journal |vauthors=Raychaudhuri SK, Maverakis E, Raychaudhuri SP |title=Diagnosis and classification of psoriasis|journal=Autoimmunity Reviews|volume=13|issue=4–5|pages=490–5|date=January 2014 |pmid=24434359|doi=10.1016/j.autrev.2014.01.008}}</ref>
|
*Microabscesses
*Thin or absent granular cell layer
| [[File:Micrograph of psoriasis vulgaris.jpg|120px]]
|-
! Psoriasiform drug reaction
| Present || Focal || Regular and irregular || Normal or thick || Spongiosis; eosinophilic infiltrate || Basal cell layer with inflammatory cells; Civatte bodies
|-
! Chronic allergic/contact and atopic dermatitis
| Present || Focal; crust may be present || Irregular || Normal or thick || Spongiosis; eosinophilic infiltrate ||
|-
! Fungal infection
| Compact || Focal; crust may be present || Irregular || Normal or thick || Occasional neutrophiles; ||
|-
! Lichen simplex chronicus
| Present || Focal; thick crust || Regular or irregular || Thin or thick || ±minimal inflammatory infiltrate ||Thickened granular cell layer
|-
! Scabies
| Present || Focal or diffuse || Irregular || Normal or thick || Inflammatory infiltrate; eosinophilic spongiosis ||
|-
! Seborrheic dermatitis and HIV dermatitis
| Present || Focal || Irregular || Normal or thick || Spongiosis; lymphocytic and neutrophilic infiltrate ||
|-
! Pityriasis rubra pilaris
| Compact || Shoulder parakeratosis<ref group="note">Parakeratotic mounds at the edge of follicular ostia.</ref>; alternating orthokeratosis and parakeratosis || Regular or irregular || Normal or thick || Spongiosis; lymphocytic infiltrate; rare acantholysis ||
|-
! Pityriasis rosea
| Present || Focal || Irregular || Normal or thick || Small foci of spongiosis; lymphocytic infiltrate ||Occasional necrotic keratinocytes of basal layer
|-
! Syphilis
| Present || Focal || Regular or irregular || Normal or thick || Lymphocytes and neutrophils ||Basal layer interface change
|-
! Pityriasis lichenoides chronica
| Present || Caps of parakeratosis || Irregular || Normal || Mild spongiosis, lymphocytic infiltrate; necrotic keratinocytes ||Necrotic keratinocytes of basal layer
|-
! Mycosis fungoides
| Present || Focal || Regular or irregular || Normal || Minimal or no spongiosis; ±Pautrier microabscess || Atypical lymphoid cells lining the dermo–epidermal junction
| [[File:Histopathology of Pautrier microabscesses.jpg|thumb|120px|Pautrier microabscesses]]
|}
|}


===Non vesicullobullous, non-pustular lesions without epidermal changes===
===Non vesicullobullous, non-pustular lesions without epidermal changes===
====Lymphocytic infiltrate====
====Lymphocytic infiltrate====
{|class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! Main conditions<ref name="Alsaad2005"/> !! Characteristics !! Image
! Main conditions<ref name="Alsaad2005" /> !! Characteristics !! Micrograph !! Photograph
|-
|-
! Urticaria, lymphocyte predominant
! Urticaria, lymphocyte predominant
| Perivascular location. Mast cells are relatively sparse, potentially demonstrated with special stains, preferably tryptase stain. Extravasated erythrocytes are present in about 50% of the cases. No vasculitis.<ref name="BarzilaiSagi2017">{{cite journal|last1=Barzilai|first1=Aviv|last2=Sagi|first2=Lior|last3=Baum|first3=Sharon|last4=Trau|first4=Henri|last5=Schvimer|first5=Michael|last6=Barshack|first6=Iris|last7=Solomon|first7=Michal|title=The Histopathology of Urticaria Revisited—Clinical Pathological Study|journal=The American Journal of Dermatopathology|volume=39|issue=10|year=2017|pages=753–759|issn=0193-1091|doi=10.1097/DAD.0000000000000786}}</ref>
| Perivascular location. Mast cells are relatively sparse, potentially demonstrated with special stains, preferably tryptase stain. Extravasated erythrocytes are present in about 50% of the cases. No vasculitis.<ref name="BarzilaiSagi2017">{{cite journal|last1=Barzilai|first1=Aviv|last2=Sagi|first2=Lior|last3=Baum|first3=Sharon|last4=Trau|first4=Henri|last5=Schvimer|first5=Michael|last6=Barshack|first6=Iris|last7=Solomon|first7=Michal|title=The Histopathology of Urticaria Revisited—Clinical Pathological Study|journal=The American Journal of Dermatopathology|volume=39|issue=10|year=2017|pages=753–759|issn=0193-1091|doi=10.1097/DAD.0000000000000786}}</ref>
| [[File:Micrograph of urticaria.jpg|190px]] Dermal edema [solid arrows in (A,B)] and a sparse superficial predominantly perivascular and interstitial infiltrate of lymphocytes and eosinophils without signs of vasculitis (dashed arrow).<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Giang|first1=Jenny|last2=Seelen|first2=Marc A. J.|last3=van Doorn|first3=Martijn B. A.|last4=Rissmann|first4=Robert|last5=Prens|first5=Errol P.|last6=Damman|first6=Jeffrey|title=Complement Activation in Inflammatory Skin Diseases|journal=Frontiers in Immunology|volume=9|year=2018|issn=1664-3224|doi=10.3389/fimmu.2018.00639}}</ref>
| [[File:Urticaria near navel.jpg|190px]]
|-
|-
! [[Fungal skin infection]]
! [[Fungal skin infection]]
| Visible fungus. Other signs depend on fungus species.<ref name="GuarnerBrandt2011">{{cite journal|last1=Guarner|first1=J.|last2=Brandt|first2=M. E.|title=Histopathologic Diagnosis of Fungal Infections in the 21st Century|journal=Clinical Microbiology Reviews|volume=24|issue=2|year=2011|pages=247–280|issn=0893-8512|doi=10.1128/CMR.00053-10}}</ref>
| Often visible fungus. Other signs depend on fungus species.<ref name="GuarnerBrandt2011">{{cite journal|last1=Guarner|first1=J.|last2=Brandt|first2=M. E.|title=Histopathologic Diagnosis of Fungal Infections in the 21st Century|journal=Clinical Microbiology Reviews|volume=24|issue=2|year=2011|pages=247–280|issn=0893-8512|doi=10.1128/CMR.00053-10}}</ref>
|  
|  
|
|-
|-
! Pigmented purpuric dermatosis
! Pigmented purpuric dermatosis
|  
|  
*Perivascular infiltrate, but may involve the dermis, further away from blood vessels.<ref name=dermpedia>{{cite web|url=http://www.dermpedia.org/dermpedia-textbook/pigmented-purpuric-dermatoses|title=Pigmented purpuric dermatoses|author=Stephen Lyle|accessdate=2019-11-05|website=Dermpedia.org}}</ref>
*Perivascular infiltrate, but may involve the dermis, further away from blood vessels.<ref name="dermpedia">{{cite web|url=http://www.dermpedia.org/dermpedia-textbook/pigmented-purpuric-dermatoses|title=Pigmented purpuric dermatoses|author=Stephen Lyle|accessdate=2019-11-05|website=Dermpedia.org}}</ref>
*Sometimes tendency for lichenoid infiltrate<ref group="notes">Pigmented purpuric dermatitis of Gougerot and Blum particularly have a tendency for lichenoid infiltrate.</ref><ref name=dermpedia/>
*Sometimes tendency for lichenoid infiltrate<ref group="note">Pigmented purpuric dermatitis of Gougerot and Blum particularly have a tendency for lichenoid infiltrate.</ref><ref name="dermpedia" />
*Mild vascular damage, mainly endothelial swelling and focal karyorrhectic debris.<ref name=dermpedia/>
*Mild vascular damage, mainly endothelial swelling and focal karyorrhectic debris.<ref name="dermpedia" />
*Red blood cell extravasation.<ref name=dermpedia/>
*Red blood cell extravasation.<ref name="dermpedia" />
*The epidermis may be normal or may exhibit spongiosis, focal parakeratosis, exocytosis and/or vacuolar change.<ref name=dermpedia/>
*The epidermis may be normal or may exhibit spongiosis, focal parakeratosis, exocytosis and/or vacuolar change.<ref name="dermpedia" />
| [[File:Histopathology of Schamberg disease.jpg|190px]]
| [[File:Histopathology of Schamberg disease.jpg|190px]]
| [[File:Schambergdisease-26male.png|190px]]
|-
|-
! Erythema annulare centrifugum
! Erythema annulare centrifugum
|  
|  
*Superficial types:<ref name=dermnetz>{{cite web|url=https://www.dermnetnz.org/topics/erythema-annulare-centrifugum-pathology/|title=Histology of erythema annulare centrifugum|website=DermNet NZ|accessdate=2019-11-05}}</ref>
*Superficial types:<ref name="dermnetz">{{cite web|url=https://www.dermnetnz.org/topics/erythema-annulare-centrifugum-pathology/|title=Histology of erythema annulare centrifugum|website=DermNet NZ|accessdate=2019-11-05}}</ref>
 
:*Mild spongiosis, parakeratosis and microvesiculation.  
:*Mild spongiosis, parakeratosis and microvesiculation.  
:*"Coat-sleeve anomaly": tight lymphohistiocytic infiltrate surrounding superficial vessels
:*"Coat-sleeve anomaly": tight lymphohistiocytic infiltrate surrounding superficial vessels
Deep lesions: Sharply demarcated perivascular mononuclear cell infiltrate in middle to deep dermis<ref name=dermnetz/>
 
Deep lesions: Sharply demarcated perivascular mononuclear cell infiltrate in middle to deep dermis<ref name="dermnetz" />
| [[File:Micrograph of erythema annulare centrifugum.jpg|190px]]
| [[File:Micrograph of erythema annulare centrifugum.jpg|190px]]
| [[File:Erythema annulare centrifugum on arms and legs.jpg|190px]]
|-
|-
! Not otherwise specified
! Not otherwise specified<ref group="note" name="not-otherwise-specified">In '''"not otherwise specified"''' cases, a description of the findings attained so far is generally enough as a diagnosis, but may mention when it can be consistent with a diagnosis that is clinically suspected according to the referral. A more comprehensive approach is to include a comment such as the following:<br>"Differential diagnosis for this condition include: ____, ____ and ____. Clinical correlation is recommended.</ref>
| A lesion with superficial lymphocytic infiltrate without additional histopathologic characteristics can be due to for example drug reactions and insect bites.<ref name="Alsaad2005"/>
| A lesion with superficial lymphocytic infiltrate without additional histopathologic characteristics can be due to for example drug reactions and insect bites.<ref name="Alsaad2005" /><ref group="note" name="not-otherwise-specified" />
|}
|}


====Lymphoeosinophilic infiltrate====
====Lymphoeosinophilic infiltrate====
{|class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! Main conditions<ref name="Alsaad2005"/> !! Characteristics !! Image
! Main conditions<ref name="Alsaad2005" /> !! Characteristics !! Micrograph !! Photograph
|-
|-
! Urticaria, lymphocyte predominant
! Urticaria, lymphocyte predominant
| Perivascular location. Mast cells are relatively sparse, potentially demonstrated with special stains, preferably tryptase stain. Extravasated erythrocytes are present in about 50% of the cases. No vasculitis.<ref name="BarzilaiSagi2017"/>
| Perivascular location. Mast cells are relatively sparse, potentially demonstrated with special stains, preferably tryptase stain. Extravasated erythrocytes are present in about 50% of the cases. No vasculitis.<ref name="BarzilaiSagi2017" />
| [[File:Micrograph of urticaria.jpg|190px]] Dermal edema (solid arrows) and a sparse superficial predominantly perivascular and interstitial infiltrate of lymphocytes and eosinophils (dashed arrow)
| [[File:Micrograph of urticaria.jpg|190px]] Dermal edema (solid arrows) and a sparse superficial predominantly perivascular and interstitial infiltrate of lymphocytes and eosinophils (dashed arrow)
| [[File:Urticaria near navel.jpg|190px]]
|-
|-
! Prevesicular stage of bullous pemphigoid
! Prevesicular stage of bullous pemphigoid
| Image at right shows influx of inflammatory cells including eosinophils and neutrophils in the dermis (solid arrow) and blister cavity (dashed arrows), and deposition of fibrin (asterisks).<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Giang|first1=Jenny|last2=Seelen|first2=Marc A. J.|last3=van Doorn|first3=Martijn B. A.|last4=Rissmann|first4=Robert|last5=Prens|first5=Errol P.|last6=Damman|first6=Jeffrey|title=Complement Activation in Inflammatory Skin Diseases|journal=Frontiers in Immunology|volume=9|year=2018|issn=1664-3224|doi=10.3389/fimmu.2018.00639}}</ref> However, the diagnosis of bullous pemphigoid consist of at least 2 positive results out of 3 criteria:<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Meijer JM, Diercks GF, de Lang EW, Pas HH, Jonkman MF | title = Assessment of diagnostic strategy for early recognition of bullous and nonbullous variants of pemphigoid. | journal = JAMA Dermatol | volume = 155 | issue = 2 | pages = 158–165 | doi = 10.1001/jamadermatol.2018.4390 | pmid = 30624575 | pmc = 6439538 | date = December 2018 }}</ref>
| Image at right shows influx of inflammatory cells including eosinophils and neutrophils in the dermis (solid arrow) and blister cavity (dashed arrows), and deposition of fibrin (asterisks).<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Giang|first1=Jenny|last2=Seelen|first2=Marc A. J.|last3=van Doorn|first3=Martijn B. A.|last4=Rissmann|first4=Robert|last5=Prens|first5=Errol P.|last6=Damman|first6=Jeffrey|title=Complement Activation in Inflammatory Skin Diseases|journal=Frontiers in Immunology|volume=9|year=2018|issn=1664-3224|doi=10.3389/fimmu.2018.00639}}</ref> However, the diagnosis of bullous pemphigoid consist of at least 2 positive results out of 3 criteria:<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Meijer JM, Diercks GF, de Lang EW, Pas HH, Jonkman MF | title = Assessment of diagnostic strategy for early recognition of bullous and nonbullous variants of pemphigoid. | journal = JAMA Dermatol | volume = 155 | issue = 2 | pages = 158–165 | doi = 10.1001/jamadermatol.2018.4390 | pmid = 30624575 | pmc = 6439538 | date = December 2018 }}</ref>
*Pruritus and/or predominant cutaneous blisters
*Pruritus and/or predominant cutaneous blisters
*Linear IgG and/or C3c deposits (in an n- serrated pattern) by direct [[immunofluorescence]] microscopy (DIF)  
*Linear IgG and/or C3c deposits (in an n- serrated pattern) by direct [[immunofluorescence]] microscopy (DIF)  
*Positive epidermal side staining by [[indirect immunofluorescence]] microscopy on human salt-split skin (IIF SSS) on a serum sample.
*Positive epidermal side staining by [[indirect immunofluorescence]] microscopy on human salt-split skin (IIF SSS) on a serum sample.
| [[File:Micrograph of infiltrate in bullous pemphigoid.jpg|190px]]
| [[File:Micrograph of infiltrate in bullous pemphigoid.jpg|190px]]
|
|-
! Not otherwise specified<ref group="note" name="not-otherwise-specified" />
| A lesion with superficial lymphoeosinophilic infiltrate without additional histopathologic characteristics can be due to for example drug reactions and insect bites.<ref name="Alsaad2005" /><ref group="note" name="not-otherwise-specified" />
|
|
|}
====Lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate====
{| class="wikitable"
! Main conditions<ref name="Alsaad2005" /> !! Characteristics !! Micrograph !! Photograph
|-
! Rosacea
| Typically enlarged, dilated capillaries and venules located in the upper dermis, angulated telangiectasias, perivascular and perifollicular lymphocytic infiltration, and superficial dermal edema.<ref name="Celiker2017">{{cite journal|last1=Celiker|first1=Hande|last2=Toker|first2=Ebru|last3=Ergun|first3=Tulin|last4=Cinel|first4=Leyla|title=An unusual presentation of ocular rosacea|journal=Arquivos Brasileiros de Oftalmologia|volume=80|issue=6|year=2017|issn=0004-2749|doi=10.5935/0004-2749.20170097}}</ref>
| [[File:Micrograph of rosacea.jpg|190px]]
| [[File:Rosacea.jpg|190px]]
|-
! Secondary syphilis
| Various, but often one or a combination of:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dermnetnz.org/topics/syphilis-pathology/|title=Syphilis pathology|author=Assoc Prof Patrick Emanuel|year=2013|website=Dermnet NZ}}</ref>
*Psoriasiform hyperplasia with superficial neutrophils
*Lichenoid tissue reaction, epidermal apoptosis and exocytosis of neutrophils
*Superficial and deep chronic infiltrate in the dermis
*Often numerous plasma cells in about 1/3 of cases
*Often endothelial swelling.
| [[File:Micrograph of secondary syphilis, HE.jpg|190px]]
| [[File:Secondary stage syphilis sores (lesions) on the soles of the feet. Plantar lesions-CDC.jpg|190px]]
|-
! Erythema migrans
| Typically a superficial and deep perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate.<ref name="WilsonLegler2012">{{cite journal|last1=Wilson|first1=Thomas C.|last2=Legler|first2=Allison|last3=Madison|first3=Kathi C.|last4=Fairley|first4=Janet A.|last5=Swick|first5=Brian L.|title=Erythema Migrans|journal=The American Journal of Dermatopathology|volume=34|issue=8|year=2012|pages=834–837|issn=0193-1091|doi=10.1097/DAD.0b013e31825879be}}</ref> Plasma cells are typically located at the periphery of the lesion, whereas eosinophils are in the center.<ref name="WilsonLegler2012" />
|
| [[File:Erythema migrans - erythematous rash in Lyme disease - PHIL 9875.jpg|190px]]
|-
! [[Kaposi’s sarcoma]] in patch stage
| The patch stage typically shows irregular proliferation of jagged vascular channels in the dermis below an integral epidermis. The so-called promontory sign is sometimes found in patch stage lesions and denotes vascular spaces surrounding pre-existing blood (see image).<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Soyer|first1=H. Peter|last2=Jakob|first2=Lena|last3=Metzler|first3=Gisela|last4=Chen|first4=Ko-Ming|last5=Garbe|first5=Claus|title=Non-AIDS Associated Kaposi's Sarcoma: Clinical Features and Treatment Outcome|journal=PLoS ONE|volume=6|issue=4|year=2011|pages=e18397|issn=1932-6203|doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0018397}}</ref>
vessels
| [[File:Micrograph of promontory sign of kaposi's sarcoma.jpg|190px]]
| [[File:Patch stage Kaposi's sarcoma.jpg|190px]]
|-
! Not otherwise specified<ref group="note" name="not-otherwise-specified" />
| A lesion with superficial lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate without additional histopathologic characteristics can be due to for example trauma, ulceration, scar and early cutaneous connective tissue diseases.<ref name="Alsaad2005" /><ref group="note" name="not-otherwise-specified" />
|}
====Mastocytosis====
{| class="wikitable"
! Main conditions<ref name="Alsaad2005" /> !! Characteristics !! Micrograph !! Photograph
|-
! Urticaria pigmentosa
| Mastocytosis with a clinical picture of darkish spots.
| [[File:Histopathology of urticaria pigmentosa.jpg|190px]]
| [[File:Urticaria pigmentosa lesions on a child.jpg|190px]]
|-
! Not otherwise specified<ref group="note" name="not-otherwise-specified" />
| Includes the rare disease of primary mastocytosis.<ref name="Alsaad2005" /><ref group="note" name="not-otherwise-specified" />
|
|
|}
====Lymphohistiocytic infiltrate====
[[File:Histopathology of leprosy.jpg|thumb|Leprosy]]
These include bacterial infections including leprosy, and the sample should therefore be stained with Ziel-Neelsen, acid fast stains, Gomori methenamine silver, PAS, and Fite stains.<ref name="Alsaad2005" /> If negative, an unspecific lymphohistocytic dermatosis may be caused by drug reactions and viral infections.<ref name="Alsaad2005" /><ref group="note" name="not-otherwise-specified" />
=====Granulomatous inflammation=====
{{further|Granulomatous skin inflammation}}
Granulomatous inflammation is defined by the presence of mononuclear leukocytes, specifically histiocytes, appearing as epithelioid cells with round to oval nuclei, often with irregular contours and abundant granular eosinophilic cytoplasm with indistinct cell borders. They may also coalesce to form multinucleated giant cells.<ref name="ShahPritt2017">{{cite journal|last1=Shah|first1=Kabeer K.|last2=Pritt|first2=Bobbi S.|last3=Alexander|first3=Mariam P.|title=Histopathologic review of granulomatous inflammation|journal=Journal of Clinical Tuberculosis and Other Mycobacterial Diseases|volume=7|year=2017|pages=1–12|issn=24055794|doi=10.1016/j.jctube.2017.02.001}}</ref>
<gallery mode="packed" heights="220">
File:Histopathology of suture granuloma.jpg|Foreign body: '''Suture''' granuloma, with multinucleated giant cells surrounding (grey) suture material.
</gallery>
====Neutrophilic infiltrate====
{| class="wikitable"
! Main conditions<ref name="Alsaad2005" /> !! Characteristics !! Micrograph !! Photograph
|-
! Urticaria, neutrophil predominant
|
*Interstitial location<ref name="BarzilaiSagi2017" />
*Relatively dense infiltrate<ref name="BarzilaiSagi2017" />
*Mast cells are relatively sparse, potentially demonstrated with special stains, preferably tryptase stain.<ref name="BarzilaiSagi2017" />
*Extravasated erythrocytes are present in about 50% of the cases <ref name="BarzilaiSagi2017" />
*No vasculitis.<ref name="BarzilaiSagi2017" />
| [[File:Micrograph of neutrophilic urticarial dermatosis.jpg|190px]]
| [[File:Neutrophilic urticarial dermatosis.jpg|190px]]
|-
! Dermatitis herpetiformis
|
*Subepidermal vesicles and blisters associated with accumulation of neutrophils at the papillary tips.<ref name="AntigaCaproni2015">{{cite journal|last1=Antiga|first1=Emiliano|last2=Caproni|first2=Marzia|title=The diagnosis and treatment of dermatitis herpetiformis|journal=Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology|year=2015|pages=257|issn=1178-7015|doi=10.2147/CCID.S69127}}</ref>
*Sometimes presence of eosinophils, giving an appearance similar to bullous pemphigoid.<ref name="AntigaCaproni2015" />
*The histopathology is unspecific in approximately 35%–40% of the cases,<ref name="AntigaCaproni2015" /> and direct immunofluorescence is needed, showing deposition of IgA in the papillary dermis in a granular or fibrillar pattern.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493163/|title=Dermatitis Herpetiformis|author=Huma A. Mirza; Amani Gharbi; William Gossman.|website=StatPearls at National Center for Biotechnology Information}} Last Update: July 11, 2019.</ref>
| [[File:Micrograph of dermatitis herpetiformis.jpg|190px]]
| [[File:Dermatitis herpetiformis.jpg|190px]]
|-
! Early linear IgA bullous dermatosis
| Subepidermal blister formation.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Saleem|first1=Maryam|last2=Iftikhar|first2=Hassaan|title=Linear IgA Disease: A Rare Complication of Vancomycin|journal=Cureus|year=2019|issn=2168-8184|doi=10.7759/cureus.4848}}</ref>
| [[File:Micrograph of linear IgA bullous dermatosis.jpg|190px]]
| [[File:Linear IgA bullous dermatosis.jpg|190px]]
|-
! Early febrile neutrophilic dermatosis (Sweet's syndrome)
| Neutrophilic and lymphohistiocytic infiltrate and edema.<ref name="Casarin CostaVirgens2017">{{cite journal|last1=Casarin Costa|first1=Jose Ricardo|last2=Virgens|first2=Anangelica Rodrigues|last3=de Oliveira Mestre|first3=Luisa|last4=Dias|first4=Natasha Favoretto|last5=Samorano|first5=Luciana Paula|last6=Valente|first6=Neusa Yuriko Sakai|last7=Festa Neto|first7=Cyro|title=Sweet Syndrome: Clinical Features, Histopathology, and Associations of 83 Cases|journal=Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery|volume=21|issue=3|year=2017|pages=211–216|issn=1203-4754|doi=10.1177/1203475417690719}}</ref>
| [[File:Sweet's syndrome pathology.jpg|190px]]
| [[File:Sweet's syndrome Crohn's disease.gif|190px]]
|-
! Connective tissue disorders
|
*Usually associated with epidermal changes.<ref name="Alsaad2005" /> (Systemic lupus erythematosis pictured)
| [[File:Histopathology of systemic lupus erythematosus.jpg|190px]]
| [[File:Butterfly rash of lupus erythematosus.jpg|190px]]
|-
|-
! Not otherwise specified
! Cutaneous small-vessel vasculitis
| A lesion with superficial lymphocytic infiltrate without additional histopathologic characteristics can be due to for example drug reactions and insect bites.<ref name="Alsaad2005"/>
|  
*Neutrophils with nuclear dust (dashed arrows in image), with high affinity for postcapillary venules.<ref name="Giang2018">{{cite journal|last1=Giang|first1=Jenny|last2=Seelen|first2=Marc A. J.|last3=van Doorn|first3=Martijn B. A.|last4=Rissmann|first4=Robert|last5=Prens|first5=Errol P.|last6=Damman|first6=Jeffrey|title=Complement Activation in Inflammatory Skin Diseases|journal=Frontiers in Immunology|volume=9|year=2018|issn=1664-3224|doi=10.3389/fimmu.2018.00639}}
 
*"Figures - available via license: CC BY 4.0"</ref>
*Features of vascular injury: fibrinoid necrosis (asterisks) and erytrocyt extravasation (solid arrows)
| [[File:Micrograph of cutaneous small-vessel vasculitis.jpg|190px]]
| [[File:Cutaneous small-vessel vasculitis.jpg|190px]]
|-
! Acute inflammation (not otherwise specified)
|
*Neutrophilic infiltrate not conforming to any of the above mentioned conditions.
| [[File:Histopathology of dermal edema.jpg|thumb|180px|Dermal edema in a case of cellulitis.]]
|
|}
|}
====No visible pathology====
In a referral with a rash or other suspicion of dermatitis, but no visible pathology is seen, generally do a fungal stain, as fungal infections may have no visible pathology on H&E stain.
{{Bottom}}
{{Bottom}}

Latest revision as of 16:49, 19 June 2022

Author: Mikael Häggström [note 1]
Scope: This article deals with skin conditions where inflammation is the main finding, excluding suspected malignant skin excisions (where inflammation is often a concurrent finding).

Sampling

  • For punch biopsies, a size of 4 mm is preferred for most inflammatory dermatoses.[1]
  • Panniculitis or cutaneous lymphoproliferative disorders: 6 mm punch biopsy or skin excision.[1]

A superficial or shave biopsy is regarded as insufficient.[1]

Fixation

Generally 10% neutral buffered formalin.

  See also: General notes on fixation


Gross processing

Gross pathology processing of skin lesions with benign appearance, by lesion size:[4]
<4 mm 4 - 8 mm 9 - 15 mm

In table above, each top image shows recommended lines for cutting out slices to be submitted for further processing. Bottom image shows which side of the slice that should be put to microtomy. Dashed lines here mean that either side could be used. Further information: Gross processing of skin excisions

Staining

3 H&E sections and one section with periodic acid Schiff (PAS)[note 2][1]

  • If suspected bacterial and fungal microorganisms, consider Gram stain and Gomori methenamine silver stain.[1]

Microscopic evaluation

One approach is to classify into mainly either of the following, primarily based on depth of involvement:[1]

  • Epidermis, papillary dermis, and superficial vascular plexus:
  • Vesiculobullous lesions
  • Pustular dermatosis
  • Non vesicullobullous, non-pustular
  • With epidermal changes
  • Without epidermal changes. These characteristically have a superficial perivascular inflammatory infiltrate, and can be classified by type of cell infiltrate:[1]
  • Lymphocytic (most common)
  • Lymphoeosinophilic
  • Lymphoplasmacytic
  • Mast cell
  • Lymphohistiocytic
  • Neutrophilic
  • No visible pathology

Continue in corresponding section:

Non vesicullobullous, non-pustular lesions with epidermal changes

Spongiotic dermatitis

It is characterized by epithelial intercellular edema.[1]

Characteristics Micrograph Photograph
Acute Subacute Chronic
Generally/Not otherwise specified[note 3] Typical findings:[1]
  • Variable degree of epidermal spongiosis and vesicle formation, filled with proteinaceous fluid containing lymphocytes and histiocytes.
  • Usually superficial dermal edema with perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate, with exocytosis.
  • No acanthosis or parakeratosis.
Typical findings:[1]
  • Mild to moderate spongiosis and exocytosis of inflammatory cells
  • Irregular acanthosis and parakeratosis.
  • Superficial dermal perivascular lymphohistiocytic infiltrate
  • Swelling of endothelial cells
  • Papillary dermal edema are present
Typical findings:[1]
  • The spongiosis is mild to absent
  • Pronounced irregular acanthosis, hyperkeratosis, and parakeratosis
  • Minimal dermal inflammation and exocytosis of inflammatory cells are present.
  • Possibly fibrosis of papillary dermis

PAS stain is essential to exclude fungal infection.[1]

Subacute
Allergic/contact dermatitis or atopic dermatitis As above. Eosinophils may be present in the dermis and epidermis (eosinophilic spongiosis).[1] Allergic dermatitis Atopic dermatitis
Seborrheic dermatitis Typical findings:[5]
  • Focal, usually mild, spongiosis with overlying scale crust, with a few neutrophils
  • The crust is often centered on a follicle
  • The papillary dermis is generally mildly edematous
  • Dilated blood vessels in the superficial vascular plexus
  • Mild superficial perivascular infiltrate of lymphocytes, histiocytes and occasional neutrophils. There is some exocytosis of inflammatory cells but not as prominent as in nummular dermatitis
Typical findings:[5]
  • Psoriasiform hyperplasia, initially slight, with mild spongiosis
  • Usually numerous yeast-like organisms in the surface keratin
  • Same changes as seen in acute stage.
Typical findings:[5]
  • More pronounced psoriasiform hyperplasia
  • Only minimal spongiosis
  • Presence of scaling crusts in a folliculocentric distribution, distinguishes from psoriasis.

In addition to above, an unspecific spongiotic dermatitis can be consistent with nummular dermatitis, dyshidrotic dermatitis, Id reaction, dermatophytosis, miliaria, Gianotti-Crosti syndrome and pityriasis rosea.[1][note 3]

Interface dermatitis

These are sorted into either:[1]

  • Interface dermatitis with vacuolar change
  • Interface dermatitis with lichenoid inflammation
Interface dermatitis with vacuolar change
Causes of vacuolar interface dermatitis edit
Main conditions[6] Characteristics Micrograph Photograph
Generally/Not otherwise specified Typical findings, called "vacuolar interface dermatitis":[6]
  • Mild inflammatory cell infiltrate along the dermoepidermal junction (black arrow in image)
  • Vacuolization within the basal keratinocytes (white arrow in image)
  • Often necrotic, predominantly basal, individual keratinocytes, manifesting as colloid or Civatte bodies
Acute graft-versus-host-disease
  • Vacuolar alteration of various severity, from focal or diffuse vacuolation of the basal keratinocytes (grade I), to separation at the dermoepidermal junction (grade III)
  • Involvement of the hair follicle[6]
  • Rarely eosinophils[6]
Allergic drug reaction
  • Rarely involvement of hair follicles.[6]
  • Frequently eosinophils[6]
Lichen sclerosus Hyperkeratosis, atrophic epidermis, sclerosis of dermis and dermal lymphocytes.[7]
Erythema multiforme
Lupus erythematosis Typical findings in systemic lupus erythematosus:[8]
  • Fibrinoid necrosis at the dermoepidermal junction
  • Liquefactive degeneration and atrophy of the epidermis
  • Mucin deposition in the reticular dermis
  • Edema, small hemorrhages
  • Mild and mainly lymphocytic infiltrate in the upper dermis
  • Fibrinoid material in the dermis around capillary blood vessels, on collagen and in the interstitium
  • In non-bullous cases, perivascular and interstitial neutrophils are sometimes present in the upper dermis, with damage to blood vessels

An interface dermatitis with vacuolar alteration, not otherwise specified, may be caused by viral exanthems, phototoxic dermatitis, acute radiation dermatitis, erythema dyschromicum perstans, lupus erythematosus and dermatomyositis.[1]

Further information: Vacuolar interface dermatitis

Interface dermatitis with lichenoid inflammation
Main conditions[1] Characteristics Micrograph Photograph
Generally/Not otherwise specified Typical findings:[1]
  • In the papillary dermis: a confluent, band-like, dense inflammation of mainly small lymphocytes and a few histiocytes, along or hugging the dermoepidermal junction.
  • Often vacuolar degeneration of basal keratinocytes and apoptotic bodies (colloid or Civatte bodies).
Lichen planus Irregular epidermal hyperplasia with a jagged “sawtooth” appearance, compact hyperkeratosis or orthokeratosis, foci of wedge-shaped hypergranulosis, basilar vacuolar degeneration, slight spongiosis in the spinous layer, and squamatization. The dermal papillae between the elongated rete ridges are frequently dome shaped. Necrotic keratinocytes can be observed in the basal layer of the epidermis and at the dermal-epidermal junction. Eosinophilic remnants of anucleate apoptotic basal cells may also be found in the dermis and are referred to as “colloid or civatte bodies”. Whickham striae are usually seen in the areas of hypergranulosis. Vacuolar degeneration at the basal layer may be noted leading to focal subepidermal clefts (Max Joseph spaces). Squamatization occurs as a result of maturation and flattening of cells in the basal layer. It happens in areas of marked hypergranulosis with prominence of the sawtooth pattern of rete ridges. Wedge-shaped hypergranulosis can occur in the eccrine ducts (acrosyringia) or hair follicles (acrotrichia). In the hypertrophic subtype, the associated hyperkeratosis, parakeratosis, hypergranulosis, papillomatosis, acanthosis, and hyperplasia markedly increased with thicker collagen bundles forming in the dermis. Moreover, the rete ridges are more elongated and rounded as opposed to the typical sawtooth pattern. In atrophic LP, loss of the rete ridges and dermal fibrosis is prominent. In vesiculobullous LP, the disease progression is quicker. Hence, some of the distinctive features such as hyperkeratosis, hypergranulosis, or dense lymphocytic dermal-epidermal infiltrate may not be present. LP lesion may resolve with residual hyperpigmentation caused by a persistent increase in the number of melanophages in the papillary dermis.[9]
Lichenoid drug reaction

Can virtually be indistinguishable from cutaneous LP both clinically and histopathologically.

  • Typically, lesions have a photodistribution in the absence of oral mucosal involvement.[9]
  • Characteristically parakeratosis, a dermal eosinophilic infiltrate, and a perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate affecting the reticular dermis.
  • Epidermal changes are less common in lichenoid drug eruptions when compared to classic lichen planus. However, a higher concentration of necrotic keratinocyte and eosinophils in the infiltrate can be helpful in distinguishing lichenoid drug reaction from cutaneous lichen planus. A lengthy interval between the commencement of drug therapy and the onset of lesions does not exclude a diagnosis of lichenoid drug reaction. Resolution of the lesions often occurs within weeks to months after discontinuation of the offending drug.[9]
Lichen nitidus
  • Localized granulomatous lymphohistiocytic infiltrate in an expanded dermal papilla.
  • Thinning of overlying epidermis and downward extension of the rete ridges at the lateral margin of the infiltrate, resulting in a typical "claw clutching a ball" appearance.[10]
Lichen amyloidosus Presence of amyloid, possibly with direct immunofluorescence and Congo red staining.[11]
Congo red.

Interface dermatitis with lichenoid inflammation, not otherwise specified, can be caused by lichen planus-like keratosis, lichenoid actinic keratosis, lichenoid lupus erythematosus, lichenoid GVHD (chronic GVHD), pigmented purpuric dermatosis, pityriasis rosea, and pityriasis lichenoides chronica.[1] Unusual conditions that can be associated with a lichenoid inflammatory cell infiltrate are HIV dermatitis, syphilis, mycosis fungoides, urticaria pigmentosa, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.[1] In cases of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, it is important to exclude potentially harmful mimics such as a regressed melanocytic lesion or lichenoid pigmented actinic keratosis.[1]

Psoriaform dermatitis

Examining multiple deeper levels is recommended if initial cuts do not correlate well with the clinical history.[1]

Psoriaform dermatitis typically displays:[1]

  • Regular epidermal hyperplasia, elongation of the rete ridges, hyperkeratosis, and parakeratosis.
  • Usually:A superficial perivascular inflammatory infiltrate
  • Often: Thinning of epidermal cells overlying the tips of dermal papillae (suprapapillary plates), and dilated, tortuous blood vessels within these papillae

Further histopathologic diagnosis is performed by the following parameters:

Psoriasiform dermatitis[1]
Condition Hyperkeratosis Parakeratosis Acanthosis Suprapapillary plate Spinous cell layer changes Other distinctive feature Micrograph
Psoriasis Present Diffuse Regular Thin Increased mitoses; minimal spongiosis
Clubbed rete pegs[12] [13]
  • Microabscesses
  • Thin or absent granular cell layer
Psoriasiform drug reaction Present Focal Regular and irregular Normal or thick Spongiosis; eosinophilic infiltrate Basal cell layer with inflammatory cells; Civatte bodies
Chronic allergic/contact and atopic dermatitis Present Focal; crust may be present Irregular Normal or thick Spongiosis; eosinophilic infiltrate
Fungal infection Compact Focal; crust may be present Irregular Normal or thick Occasional neutrophiles;
Lichen simplex chronicus Present Focal; thick crust Regular or irregular Thin or thick ±minimal inflammatory infiltrate Thickened granular cell layer
Scabies Present Focal or diffuse Irregular Normal or thick Inflammatory infiltrate; eosinophilic spongiosis
Seborrheic dermatitis and HIV dermatitis Present Focal Irregular Normal or thick Spongiosis; lymphocytic and neutrophilic infiltrate
Pityriasis rubra pilaris Compact Shoulder parakeratosis[note 4]; alternating orthokeratosis and parakeratosis Regular or irregular Normal or thick Spongiosis; lymphocytic infiltrate; rare acantholysis
Pityriasis rosea Present Focal Irregular Normal or thick Small foci of spongiosis; lymphocytic infiltrate Occasional necrotic keratinocytes of basal layer
Syphilis Present Focal Regular or irregular Normal or thick Lymphocytes and neutrophils Basal layer interface change
Pityriasis lichenoides chronica Present Caps of parakeratosis Irregular Normal Mild spongiosis, lymphocytic infiltrate; necrotic keratinocytes Necrotic keratinocytes of basal layer
Mycosis fungoides Present Focal Regular or irregular Normal Minimal or no spongiosis; ±Pautrier microabscess Atypical lymphoid cells lining the dermo–epidermal junction
Pautrier microabscesses

Non vesicullobullous, non-pustular lesions without epidermal changes

Lymphocytic infiltrate

Main conditions[1] Characteristics Micrograph Photograph
Urticaria, lymphocyte predominant Perivascular location. Mast cells are relatively sparse, potentially demonstrated with special stains, preferably tryptase stain. Extravasated erythrocytes are present in about 50% of the cases. No vasculitis.[14] Dermal edema [solid arrows in (A,B)] and a sparse superficial predominantly perivascular and interstitial infiltrate of lymphocytes and eosinophils without signs of vasculitis (dashed arrow).[15]
Fungal skin infection Often visible fungus. Other signs depend on fungus species.[16]
Pigmented purpuric dermatosis
  • Perivascular infiltrate, but may involve the dermis, further away from blood vessels.[17]
  • Sometimes tendency for lichenoid infiltrate[note 5][17]
  • Mild vascular damage, mainly endothelial swelling and focal karyorrhectic debris.[17]
  • Red blood cell extravasation.[17]
  • The epidermis may be normal or may exhibit spongiosis, focal parakeratosis, exocytosis and/or vacuolar change.[17]
Erythema annulare centrifugum
  • Superficial types:[18]
  • Mild spongiosis, parakeratosis and microvesiculation.
  • "Coat-sleeve anomaly": tight lymphohistiocytic infiltrate surrounding superficial vessels

Deep lesions: Sharply demarcated perivascular mononuclear cell infiltrate in middle to deep dermis[18]

Not otherwise specified[note 3] A lesion with superficial lymphocytic infiltrate without additional histopathologic characteristics can be due to for example drug reactions and insect bites.[1][note 3]

Lymphoeosinophilic infiltrate

Main conditions[1] Characteristics Micrograph Photograph
Urticaria, lymphocyte predominant Perivascular location. Mast cells are relatively sparse, potentially demonstrated with special stains, preferably tryptase stain. Extravasated erythrocytes are present in about 50% of the cases. No vasculitis.[14] Dermal edema (solid arrows) and a sparse superficial predominantly perivascular and interstitial infiltrate of lymphocytes and eosinophils (dashed arrow)
Prevesicular stage of bullous pemphigoid Image at right shows influx of inflammatory cells including eosinophils and neutrophils in the dermis (solid arrow) and blister cavity (dashed arrows), and deposition of fibrin (asterisks).[19] However, the diagnosis of bullous pemphigoid consist of at least 2 positive results out of 3 criteria:[20]
  • Pruritus and/or predominant cutaneous blisters
  • Linear IgG and/or C3c deposits (in an n- serrated pattern) by direct immunofluorescence microscopy (DIF)
  • Positive epidermal side staining by indirect immunofluorescence microscopy on human salt-split skin (IIF SSS) on a serum sample.
Not otherwise specified[note 3] A lesion with superficial lymphoeosinophilic infiltrate without additional histopathologic characteristics can be due to for example drug reactions and insect bites.[1][note 3]

Lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate

Main conditions[1] Characteristics Micrograph Photograph
Rosacea Typically enlarged, dilated capillaries and venules located in the upper dermis, angulated telangiectasias, perivascular and perifollicular lymphocytic infiltration, and superficial dermal edema.[21]
Secondary syphilis Various, but often one or a combination of:[22]
  • Psoriasiform hyperplasia with superficial neutrophils
  • Lichenoid tissue reaction, epidermal apoptosis and exocytosis of neutrophils
  • Superficial and deep chronic infiltrate in the dermis
  • Often numerous plasma cells in about 1/3 of cases
  • Often endothelial swelling.
Erythema migrans Typically a superficial and deep perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate.[23] Plasma cells are typically located at the periphery of the lesion, whereas eosinophils are in the center.[23]
Kaposi’s sarcoma in patch stage The patch stage typically shows irregular proliferation of jagged vascular channels in the dermis below an integral epidermis. The so-called promontory sign is sometimes found in patch stage lesions and denotes vascular spaces surrounding pre-existing blood (see image).[24]

vessels

Not otherwise specified[note 3] A lesion with superficial lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate without additional histopathologic characteristics can be due to for example trauma, ulceration, scar and early cutaneous connective tissue diseases.[1][note 3]

Mastocytosis

Main conditions[1] Characteristics Micrograph Photograph
Urticaria pigmentosa Mastocytosis with a clinical picture of darkish spots.
Not otherwise specified[note 3] Includes the rare disease of primary mastocytosis.[1][note 3]

Lymphohistiocytic infiltrate

Leprosy

These include bacterial infections including leprosy, and the sample should therefore be stained with Ziel-Neelsen, acid fast stains, Gomori methenamine silver, PAS, and Fite stains.[1] If negative, an unspecific lymphohistocytic dermatosis may be caused by drug reactions and viral infections.[1][note 3]

Granulomatous inflammation

Further information: Granulomatous skin inflammation Granulomatous inflammation is defined by the presence of mononuclear leukocytes, specifically histiocytes, appearing as epithelioid cells with round to oval nuclei, often with irregular contours and abundant granular eosinophilic cytoplasm with indistinct cell borders. They may also coalesce to form multinucleated giant cells.[25]

Neutrophilic infiltrate

Main conditions[1] Characteristics Micrograph Photograph
Urticaria, neutrophil predominant
  • Interstitial location[14]
  • Relatively dense infiltrate[14]
  • Mast cells are relatively sparse, potentially demonstrated with special stains, preferably tryptase stain.[14]
  • Extravasated erythrocytes are present in about 50% of the cases [14]
  • No vasculitis.[14]
Dermatitis herpetiformis
  • Subepidermal vesicles and blisters associated with accumulation of neutrophils at the papillary tips.[26]
  • Sometimes presence of eosinophils, giving an appearance similar to bullous pemphigoid.[26]
  • The histopathology is unspecific in approximately 35%–40% of the cases,[26] and direct immunofluorescence is needed, showing deposition of IgA in the papillary dermis in a granular or fibrillar pattern.[27]
Early linear IgA bullous dermatosis Subepidermal blister formation.[28]
Early febrile neutrophilic dermatosis (Sweet's syndrome) Neutrophilic and lymphohistiocytic infiltrate and edema.[29]
Connective tissue disorders
  • Usually associated with epidermal changes.[1] (Systemic lupus erythematosis pictured)
Cutaneous small-vessel vasculitis
  • Neutrophils with nuclear dust (dashed arrows in image), with high affinity for postcapillary venules.[30]
  • Features of vascular injury: fibrinoid necrosis (asterisks) and erytrocyt extravasation (solid arrows)
File:Micrograph of cutaneous small-vessel vasculitis.jpg File:Cutaneous small-vessel vasculitis.jpg
Acute inflammation (not otherwise specified)
  • Neutrophilic infiltrate not conforming to any of the above mentioned conditions.
File:Histopathology of dermal edema.jpg
Dermal edema in a case of cellulitis.

No visible pathology

In a referral with a rash or other suspicion of dermatitis, but no visible pathology is seen, generally do a fungal stain, as fungal infections may have no visible pathology on H&E stain.

Notes

  1. For a full list of contributors, see article history. Creators of images are attributed at the image description pages, seen by clicking on the images. See Patholines:Authorship for details.
  2. PAS is for evaluation of the epidermal basement membrane, blood vessels, and the presence of fungal organisms
  3. 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 In "not otherwise specified" cases, a description of the findings attained so far is generally enough as a diagnosis, but may mention when it can be consistent with a diagnosis that is clinically suspected according to the referral. A more comprehensive approach is to include a comment such as the following:
    "Differential diagnosis for this condition include: ____, ____ and ____. Clinical correlation is recommended.
  4. Parakeratotic mounds at the edge of follicular ostia.
  5. Pigmented purpuric dermatitis of Gougerot and Blum particularly have a tendency for lichenoid infiltrate.

Main page

References

  1. 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.19 1.20 1.21 1.22 1.23 1.24 1.25 1.26 1.27 1.28 1.29 1.30 1.31 1.32 1.33 1.34 1.35 Alsaad, K O (2005). "My approach to superficial inflammatory dermatoses ". Journal of Clinical Pathology 58 (12): 1233–1241. doi:10.1136/jcp.2005.027151. ISSN 0021-9746. 
  2. Page 678 in: Chhabra, Seema; Minz, RanjanaWalker; Saikia, Biman (2012). "Immunofluorescence in dermatology ". Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology, and Leprology 78 (6): 677. doi:10.4103/0378-6323.102355. ISSN 0378-6323. Archived from the original. . 
  3. Katarzyna Lundmark, Krynitz, Ismini Vassilaki, Lena Mölne, Annika Ternesten Bratel. Handläggning av hudprover – provtagningsanvisningar, utskärningsprinciper och snittning (Handling of skin samples - Instructions for sampling, cutting and incision. KVAST (Swedish Society of Pathology). Retrieved on 2019-09-09.
  4. ". Ochsner J 5 (2): 22–33. 2003. PMID 22826680. PMC: 3399331. Archived from the original. . 
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    - It also shows an example of circular coverage, with equal coverage distance in all four directions.
    - The entire specimen may be submitted if the risk of malignancy is high.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 Mowafak Hamodat. Skin inflammatory (nontumor) > Spongiotic, psoriasiform and pustular reaction patterns > Seborrheic dermatitis. PathologyOutlines.com. Topic Completed: 1 August 2011. Revised: 26 March 2019
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 Unless else specified in boxes, reference is: Alsaad, K O (2005). "My approach to superficial inflammatory dermatoses ". Journal of Clinical Pathology 58 (12): 1233–1241. doi:10.1136/jcp.2005.027151. ISSN 0021-9746. 
  7. Lisa K Pappas-Taffer. Lichen Sclerosus. Medscape. Updated: May 17, 2018
  8. Mowafak Hamodat. Skin inflammatory (nontumor) > Lichenoid and interface reaction patterns > Lupus: systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). PathologyOutlines. Topic Completed: 1 August 2011. Revised: 26 March 2019
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  12. "Cytokines and cytokine profiles in human autoimmune diseases and animal models of autoimmunity ". Mediators of Inflammation 2009: 1–20. 2009. doi:10.1155/2009/979258. PMID 19884985. 
  13. "Diagnosis and classification of psoriasis ". Autoimmunity Reviews 13 (4–5): 490–5. January 2014. doi:10.1016/j.autrev.2014.01.008. PMID 24434359. 
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  15. Giang, Jenny; Seelen, Marc A. J.; van Doorn, Martijn B. A.; Rissmann, Robert; Prens, Errol P.; Damman, Jeffrey (2018). "Complement Activation in Inflammatory Skin Diseases ". Frontiers in Immunology 9. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2018.00639. ISSN 1664-3224. 
  16. Guarner, J.; Brandt, M. E. (2011). "Histopathologic Diagnosis of Fungal Infections in the 21st Century ". Clinical Microbiology Reviews 24 (2): 247–280. doi:10.1128/CMR.00053-10. ISSN 0893-8512. 
  17. 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 17.4 Stephen Lyle. Pigmented purpuric dermatoses. Dermpedia.org. Retrieved on 2019-11-05.
  18. 18.0 18.1 . Histology of erythema annulare centrifugum. DermNet NZ. Retrieved on 2019-11-05.
  19. Giang, Jenny; Seelen, Marc A. J.; van Doorn, Martijn B. A.; Rissmann, Robert; Prens, Errol P.; Damman, Jeffrey (2018). "Complement Activation in Inflammatory Skin Diseases ". Frontiers in Immunology 9. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2018.00639. ISSN 1664-3224. 
  20. "Assessment of diagnostic strategy for early recognition of bullous and nonbullous variants of pemphigoid. ". JAMA Dermatol 155 (2): 158–165. December 2018. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2018.4390. PMID 30624575. 
  21. Celiker, Hande; Toker, Ebru; Ergun, Tulin; Cinel, Leyla (2017). "An unusual presentation of ocular rosacea ". Arquivos Brasileiros de Oftalmologia 80 (6). doi:10.5935/0004-2749.20170097. ISSN 0004-2749. 
  22. Assoc Prof Patrick Emanuel (2013). Syphilis pathology. Dermnet NZ.
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  24. Soyer, H. Peter; Jakob, Lena; Metzler, Gisela; Chen, Ko-Ming; Garbe, Claus (2011). "Non-AIDS Associated Kaposi's Sarcoma: Clinical Features and Treatment Outcome ". PLoS ONE 6 (4): e18397. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0018397. ISSN 1932-6203. 
  25. Shah, Kabeer K.; Pritt, Bobbi S.; Alexander, Mariam P. (2017). "Histopathologic review of granulomatous inflammation ". Journal of Clinical Tuberculosis and Other Mycobacterial Diseases 7: 1–12. doi:10.1016/j.jctube.2017.02.001. ISSN 24055794. 
  26. 26.0 26.1 26.2 Antiga, Emiliano; Caproni, Marzia (2015). "The diagnosis and treatment of dermatitis herpetiformis ". Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology: 257. doi:10.2147/CCID.S69127. ISSN 1178-7015. 
  27. Huma A. Mirza; Amani Gharbi; William Gossman.. Dermatitis Herpetiformis. StatPearls at National Center for Biotechnology Information. Last Update: July 11, 2019.
  28. Saleem, Maryam; Iftikhar, Hassaan (2019). "Linear IgA Disease: A Rare Complication of Vancomycin ". Cureus. doi:10.7759/cureus.4848. ISSN 2168-8184. 
  29. Casarin Costa, Jose Ricardo; Virgens, Anangelica Rodrigues; de Oliveira Mestre, Luisa; Dias, Natasha Favoretto; Samorano, Luciana Paula; Valente, Neusa Yuriko Sakai; Festa Neto, Cyro (2017). "Sweet Syndrome: Clinical Features, Histopathology, and Associations of 83 Cases ". Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery 21 (3): 211–216. doi:10.1177/1203475417690719. ISSN 1203-4754. 
  30. Giang, Jenny; Seelen, Marc A. J.; van Doorn, Martijn B. A.; Rissmann, Robert; Prens, Errol P.; Damman, Jeffrey (2018). "Complement Activation in Inflammatory Skin Diseases ". Frontiers in Immunology 9. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2018.00639. ISSN 1664-3224. 
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