Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 7, 2026
03:23
Author Spotlight: Investigating the Pathophysiology of Eosinophilic Esophagitis
Published on: May 10, 2024
1.6K
Eosinophils in lichen sclerosus et atrophicus
Phillip J Keith1, Michael M Wolz1, Margot S Peters1,2
1Department of Dermatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
Journal of Cutaneous Pathology
|July 9, 2015
Summary
The presence of eosinophils in lichen sclerosus et atrophicus (LS) biopsies does not appear to indicate other autoimmune or allergic conditions. Further extensive workups are not recommended based solely on eosinophil findings in LS.
Area of Science:
- Dermatopathology
- Immunodermatology
Background:
- Lichen sclerosus et atrophicus (LS) typically presents with lymphoplasmacytic inflammation, dermal edema, and sclerosis.
- The role of eosinophils, including eosinophilic spongiosis, in LS requires further investigation.
- Eosinophils in LS have been tentatively linked to autoimmune bullous disease or allergic contact dermatitis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between histopathologic findings of dermal eosinophils or eosinophilic spongiosis in LS biopsies and the presence of autoimmune bullous disease, autoimmune connective tissue disease, or allergic contact dermatitis.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of histopathology and medical records.
- Analysis of 235 patients with LS evaluated between June 1992 and June 2012.
Main Results:
- Sixty-nine patients (29%) exhibited eosinophils in their LS histopathology.
- No statistically significant association was detected between the presence of eosinophils and other autoimmune or allergic conditions.
Conclusions:
- The significance of eosinophils in LS remains uncertain.
- Histopathologic identification of eosinophils in LS biopsies alone is insufficient to warrant extensive diagnostic workups for associated diseases.
