A clinical and histopathological study of pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta(PLEVA)

Sung, Sun Je; Yu, Hee Joon; Son, Sook Ja

Abstract

We reviewed the clinical features and the skin biopsy slides of 27 patients who were diagnosed as PLEVA clinically or histapathologically in order to evaluate the clinical characteristics and the specific histopathological findings of PLEVA. The results were as follows : l. 13 of these 27 cases(48%) were confirmed as PLEVA. 2. PLEVA was more frequent in males(85% ), most of whom were young adults. 3. In most cases of PLEVA, the predilection site was on the trunk and extremities, and mild pruritus was a characteristic complaint. 4. Most cases of PLEVA were treated with tetracycline or PUVA therapy with temporary remission, but this therapy did not decrease the rate of recurrence. 5. Some histopathological findings previously described as typical in PLEVA(eg, trapped RBC in the epidermis, exocytosis of lymphocyte, dermal hernorrhage and lymphocytic perivasculitis) seemed not to be specific and were often seen in a variety of other dermatoses. 6. The histopathological findings of linear parakeratosis(85%) and dyskeratotic cells in the middle and upper epidermis(92% ) seemed to be significant findings for PLEUA. 7. The above mentioned histopat,hological findings for PLEVA were frequently found from the vesicular lesions or necrotic hemorrhagic papules.