Clear-cell syringoma. Immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy study

Clear-cell syringoma is a histologic variant of syringoma that is otherwise clinically indistinguishable from ordinary syringoma. This variant is formed by cells that have pale or clear cytoplasm as a result of glycogen accumulation. There is a high association of clear-cell syringoma and diabetes mellitus. A case of clear-cell syringoma associated with diabetes mellitus is described. Electron microscopic examination revealed that periluminal cells showed intra- and extracytoplasmic multivesicular bodies that may be characteristic of the clear-cell variant. Immunohistochemistry for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) showed ordinary syringomas as in the presence of CEA within and surrounding duct-like spaces.