Pseudolipomatosis Cutis: A Retrospective Case Series of Skin Biopsies Showing a Distinctive Vacuolar Artifactual Change.

The American Journal of Dermatopathology
Vishal GuptaM Ramam

Abstract

Pseudolipomatosis cutis is a distinctive artifact characterized by the presence of adipocyte-like vacuoles in the biopsy specimens. We describe this change in a series of skin biopsies clustered over 2 periods, November 2017-December 2017 and February 2019. Hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections from 21 skin biopsies were examined by 2 dermatopathologists. Variable-sized vacuoles were noted in the epidermis, dermis, and/or subcutaneous fat in all biopsies. Vacuoles were seen in the stratum corneum in 2 biopsies, epidermis in 15 biopsies, papillary dermis in 19 biopsies, reticular dermis in 20 biopsies, and subcutis in 9 biopsies. The vacuoles resembled a true histological change in many biopsies: vacuolated keratinocytes (n = 6), basal cell vacuolization (n = 6), foamy histiocytes (n = 12), and adipocytes (n = 20). Other changes included dermal collagen sclerosis and empty ectatic vascular channels. The clustering of this peculiar change in biopsies from patients with unrelated skin diseases that stopped on changing the formalin solution in both instances suggests that it is an artifactual change due to improper tissue fixation.

References

Jul 1, 1985·Human Pathology·A S PieterseR Rowland
Nov 1, 1985·American Journal of Clinical Pathology·D C SnoverS Hutton
Apr 1, 1995·Journal of Cutaneous Pathology·J LeeK Rothman
Oct 28, 1998·The American Journal of Dermatopathology·M J Trotter, R I Crawford
Aug 14, 1999·The American Journal of Dermatopathology·E Brehmer-AnderssonE Asbrink
Dec 12, 2003·World Journal of Gastroenterology : WJG·Murat AlperMazlume Suna
Oct 16, 2008·The Australasian Journal of Dermatology·Sebnem AyvaPinar Atasoy
Aug 12, 2015·Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology·Rajiv Joshi
Aug 31, 2018·Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology : JOMFP·Syed Ahmed TaqiSyed Ahmed Zaki

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.