Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 15, 2026

Technique of Conjunctival Biopsy and Direct Immunofluorescence for Diagnosing Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid
Published on: June 17, 2025
[Immunohistochemical evaluation of inflammatory reaction in a case of pilomatrixoma]
Anca Indrei1, P Cianga, Gabriela Florenţa Dumitrescu
1Facultatea de Medicină, Disciplina de Anatomie, Universitatea de Medicină si Farmacie "Gr.T.Popa" Iaşi.
Insights
This study identified pilomatricoma cells and evaluated lesion stage, proliferation, and inflammation using immunohistochemistry. Findings confirmed classical cells and revealed a high proliferation rate and significant inflammatory response.
Area of Science:
- Dermatopathology
- Oncology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Pilomatricoma is a benign skin tumor of follicular origin.
- Accurate diagnosis and staging are crucial for patient management.
Observation:
- Histological examination revealed characteristic pilomatricoma cells: bazaloid, ghost, and transitional.
- Immunohistochemistry identified 10-15% of bazaloid cells as PCNA-positive, indicating proliferation.
- A significant inflammatory infiltrate, including CD68-positive giant multinucleated cells, was observed.
Findings:
- The study confirmed the presence of bazaloid, ghost, and transitional cells in pilomatricoma.
- Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression was noted in 10-15% of bazaloid cells.
- Immunohistochemistry demonstrated a marked inflammatory reaction with CD68-positive cells and high vascular density.
Implications:
- Immunohistochemistry aids in assessing pilomatricoma proliferation and inflammation.
- These markers can help determine the lesion's stage and associated inflammatory response.
- Understanding cellular dynamics provides insights into pilomatricoma pathogenesis.
Objectives:
To identify the types of the cells in a case of pilomatricoma and to evaluate the lesion's stage, the cells' proliferating rate and the associated inflammatory reaction.
Material And Methods:
The paraffin-embedded tissue was investigated by histological examination and by immunohistochemistry for the expression of some markers such as: cytokeratins, CD3, CD20, CD68, PCNA, CD34 II.
Results:
The lesion presented the characteristic epithelial cells of a classical pilomatricoma: bazaloid cells, ghost cells and transitional cells. 10-15% of the bazaloid cells were PCNA+. The MNF 116 antibody labeled only some of the transitional and of the ghost cells. We found no CD3-positive cells and few CD20-positive cells. A marked inflammatory reaction was noticed, dominated by giant multinucleated cells, positive for CD68 and PCNA and a rich network of blood vessels with a high vascular density.
Conclusion:
The histological pilomatricoma diagnosis was straightforward on the basis of the bazaloid and ghost cells presence. Immunohistochemistry brought additional data regarding the cells proliferation rate, the stage of the lesion and the intensity of the associated inflammation.
