Ambreen Moatasim, Anwarul Haque.
The value of individual microscopic features in diagnosis of cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus (LE).
Int J Pathol Jan ;3(2):76-80.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the frequency-based value of various histologic features encountered in skin biopsies evaluated for LE. Study Design and Setting: This descriptive study was performed over a period of one year at Pathology Department of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad. Subjects: The total number of cases was 50, selected through convenience non-probability sampling. Methods: A histopathologist and several dermatologists evaluated each case of skin biopsy together on multi-head microscope and TV monitors and combined diagnoses were made. Later on all slides were reviewed by a senior pathologist. A criterion was fixed for examining each slide. 12 histologic parameters were studied in each. Each of these parameters was further graded into nil, mild and prominent. All the data was entered into SPSS and frequencies calculated. Results: Hyperkeratosis, basal cell damage and collagen damage were present in all 50 (100%) cases while epidermal atrophy in 49 (98%) and periappendigeal and perivascular inflammation were seen in 48 (96%) cases each. Epidermal atrophy was prominent in 90 % cases, while basal cell damage, collagen damage, periappendigeal inflammation and hyperkeratosis were prominent in 78%, 62%, 56% and 54% cases respectively. Basement membrane deposit was prominent in 14%, while perivascular inflammation and keratin plugging were both prominent in 40% cases each. Conclusion: Certain histological features are distinctive enough to render a reasonably accurate diagnosis of Cutaneous LE in most of the cases, and include epidermal atrophy, basal cell damage, collagen damage, periappendigeal inflammation and hyperkeratosis.

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