Related Experiment Videos
Pityriasis rubra pilaris with acantholysis
K Howe1, P Foresman, T Griffin
1Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA.
Journal of Cutaneous Pathology
|June 1, 1996
Summary
This study identifies acantholysis, a skin separation, as a potential feature of adult-onset pityriasis rubra pilaris (PRP). This finding may aid in diagnosing this rare skin condition.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Histopathology
Background:
- Pityriasis rubra pilaris (PRP) is a rare chronic skin disorder.
- Typical histopathological findings of PRP include psoriasiform hyperplasia and specific keratinization abnormalities.
Observation:
- Two patients presented with clinical features suggestive of adult-onset pityriasis rubra pilaris (PRP).
- Skin biopsies revealed widespread acantholysis (separation of epidermal cells) in both follicular and non-follicular areas, alongside characteristic PRP histological features.
Findings:
- The observed acantholysis, previously considered incidental in PRP, is proposed to be a manifestation of the disease process.
- Histological examination showed suprabasilar and intraepidermal acantholysis with minimal dyskeratosis, thickened orthokeratosis and parakeratosis, a retained granular cell layer, and psoriasiform epidermal hyperplasia.
Implications:
- Recognizing acantholysis as a potential feature of PRP could improve diagnostic accuracy for this condition.
- Further research is warranted to understand the role and mechanism of acantholysis in pityriasis rubra pilaris.