Pressure (decubitus) ulcer: variation in histopathology--a light and electron microscope study

The histopathology of pressure (decubitus) ulcers from 20 patients was examined by light and electron microscopy. Surgical biopsy specimens from the ulcer edge, ulcer margin, and adjacent normal, nonulcerated skin showed four general types of ulcer histopathology. Morphological features common to all ulcer groups were a dense fibrin matrix, occluded blood vessels, numerous inflammatory cells, and a range of cellular viability from functionally normal appearing cells to cells in all stages of necrosis. These data present structural reference points for comparing pressure ulcer pathology and evaluating the effects of growth factors on wound healing.