Korean J Dermatol.  1982 Jun;20(3):479-487.

Ultrastructural Findings of Bowenoid Papulosis of the Genitalia

• Hahn CS
• Chun SI
• Lee JB

Abstract

A 41 year-old man had dark pigmented papules and plaques, 4 to 15 mm in size, on the proximal portion of the dorsum of the penile shaft and pubic area of 8 months duration. Over next several months, flesh colored, macerated papules, 2 to 4 mm in size, appeared on the left side of the scrotum Light microscopic examination from a pigmented lesion of the penile shaft showed typical findings of Bowen's disease. Ultrastructural findings included: widening of intercellular space, a decrease in the number of desmosomes with microvillous projections, aggregation of tonofilaments, an increase in the mitotic keratinocytes, an increase in the number of melanin granules, and disorganized bundles of tonofilaments surrounding chromosomes. Virus-like particles were not observed. Based on the ultrastructural findings and review of literatures, it seems to be probable that bowenoid papulosis is a clinical variant of Bowens disease.

MeSH Terms

Adult
Bowen's Disease
Desmosomes
Extracellular Space
Genitalia*
Humans
Intermediate Filaments
Keratinocytes
Melanins
Scrotum
Melanins