Histopathologic Findings in Diagnosed lesions as psoriasis

Jo, Ho Youn; Kye, Young Chul; Kim, Soo Nam

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a dynamic process, both clinically and histopathologically. There is wide spectrum of histological change recognizable in psoriatic lesions.
OBJECTIVE
We attempted to clarify the histological features in psoriasis by quantitative studies.
METHODS
We reviewed the clinical charts, photographs and skin biopsy slides of 106 patients who were diagnosed as psoriasis clinically or histopathologically between March, 1990 and August, 1994 at the Department of Dermatology, Korea University Hospital. The 12 histopathologic fea tures of psoriasis were listed and examined whether these features were seen or not. in each section. And if seen, then the features were scored 0 to 1. The sum of score in ear,h section could range from 0 to 12.
RESULTS
1. 72 of 106 patients were psoriasis vulgaris. In other patients, the clinical forms of psoriasis wer e guttate psoriasis, pustulosis palmoplantaris, and generalized pustular psoriasis. 2. The average score of histopathologic features seen in each section were 8.11+/-2.11. 3. Sections commonly showed club shaped rete ridges, elongation and ederna of the dermal papil- lae, perivascular mononuclear infiltrate in the upper dermis, absent granular layer, parakeratosis, suprapapillary plate thinning, mitosis above basal cell layer, and dilated tortuous blood vessels. The observed frequency of Munro microabscess, spongiform pustule, and dilated tortuous blood vessels were significantly lower in psoriasis vulgaris than in other clinical forms(p<0.05).
CONCLUSION
This study showed that the histologic picture of psoriasis varied with the clinical forms. In each section seen, the observed frequncy of Munro microabscess and spongiform pustule was relatively low.