Dermal Infiltration (dermal + infiltration)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Erythema multiforme-like lesions associated with lesional infiltration of tumor cells occurring with adult T-cell lymphoma/leukemia

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 4 2008
Tomoyuki Ohtani MD
A 66-year-old Japanese woman visited our hospital with a complaint of multiple papules on her trunk and extremities. She had a past medical history of appendicitis and blood transfusion 40 years earlier. For the last 10 years, she had noticed multiple, gradually enlarging papulonodular lesions with surrounding erythema on her trunk and extremities. ,Physical examination revealed multiple, violaceous papules or nodules, less than 10 mm in diameter, with surrounding erythema on her trunk and extremities (Fig. 1). The results of routine laboratory examinations, including blood count, liver function, renal function, serum calcium, and lactate dehydrogenase, were within the normal range. The peripheral blood picture showed a small population of atypical lymphocytes below 1% of the total white blood cells. Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) serology was positive. A microscopic examination of a biopsy specimen from a nodule on the abdomen demonstrated diffuse infiltration of large pleomorphic T cells in the upper and middle dermis, although highly atypical lymphocytes, so-called flower cells, could not be recognized. Infiltrating lymphocytes were positive for CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5, CD7, and CD45, but negative for CD8 and CD20, immunohistologically. Bone marrow biopsy also demonstrated the infiltration of lymphocytes expressing CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5, and CD7, but not CD25. Southern blot analysis of the infiltrating cells in the skin revealed an integration of HTLV-I proviral DNA in T cells. Clonal T-cell receptor , gene rearrangement was detected in skin and bone marrow biopsies. No abnormal mass or bone defect was detected by chest or abdominal computed tomographic scanning, systemic gallium-67 citrate scintigraphy, or chest radiography. On the basis of these data, the patient was diagnosed with smouldering-type adult T-cell lymphoma/leukemia. Figure 1. Clinical features of adult T-cell lymphoma/leukemia (ATL) skin lesions. Crusted, target-like, dark-red plaques on the lower legs ,The patient was started on topical steroid and electron beam radiation therapy (27 Gy/14 days). Five days after the start of irradiation, she noticed multiple patches of edematous erythema appearing on the trunk and extremities (Fig. 2). As it was initially suspected that these newly emerging erythema multiforme or toxic eruptions were caused by irradiation, therapy was interrupted. Anti-herpes simplex virus antibody was not checked because no typical herpes simplex lesions were noticed. The patient was not taking any systemic drugs. A skin biopsy was taken from a representative lesion on the chest. The pathologic specimen showed epidermotropism, liquefaction degeneration in the basal layer, marked edema, and dense infiltration of mononuclear cells in the upper dermis. Infiltrating cells possessed abundant cytoplasm and large pleomorphic nuclei with distinct nucleoli (Fig. 3). These findings were consistent with the histopathologic findings of erythema multiforme, except for the atypical lymphoid cell infiltration. Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated that the phenotype of the skin-infiltrating cells was identical to that of the atypical cells in the initial lesions. As the eruptions did not disappear in spite of the interruption of radiation, total skin irradiation was restarted. After completion of therapy, both the erythema multiforme-like lesions and the initial adult T-cell lymphoma/leukemia nodules on the trunk and extremities had resolved, leaving brown pigmentation. The patient has been free of any recurrence of skin lesions or systemic symptoms for 6 years after the completion of total skin irradiation. Figure 2. Appearance of erythema multiforme (EM)-like lesions. Edematous red plaques involving the breast Figure 3. Microscopic examination of a biopsy specimen from (EM)-like lesions on the chest (hematoxylin and eosin staining). (a) Epidermotropism, liquefaction degeneration in the basal layer, and dense infiltration of mononuclear cells and severe edema in the upper dermis (×100). (b) High-power magnification revealed that the dermal infiltration included atypical lymphoid cells with abundant cytoplasm, convoluted large nuclei, and distinct nucleoli (×400) [source]


Mid-dermal elastolysis preceded by acute neutrophilic dermatosis

JOURNAL OF CUTANEOUS PATHOLOGY, Issue 1 2004
Kevan G. Lewis
Background:, Mid-dermal elastolysis is a rare idiopathic elastic tissue disorder that is characterized by localized patches of finely wrinkled skin and a ,band-like' loss of elastic tissue in the mid-reticular dermis. Lesions may be preceded by erythema and/or urticaria, and histological examination of inflamed lesional skin may demonstrate lymphohistiocytic dermal infiltration. Case report:, We report a case of mid-dermal elastolysis in a 31-year-old woman who developed multiple erythematous and urticarial plaques on the arms and trunk. Histologic examination of a representative lesion revealed a neutrophilic infiltrate and a normal pattern of elastic tissue. Several months later, the erythema and urticaria was noted to have resolved, leaving soft, pendulous plaques with overlying finely wrinkled skin. A follow-up biopsy at this time showed minimal lymphocytic inflammation but almost complete absence of elastic tissue in the mid-reticular dermis. Conclusions:, To our knowledge, acute neutrophilic dermatosis resulting in mid-dermal elastolysis has not been previously described. This observation lends support to an emerging theory that the pathogenesis of mid-dermal elastolysis may be inflammatory. [source]


Sézary syndrome presenting with ,leonine facies'

AUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 4 2009
Shano Nassem
ABSTRACT A 71-year-old man presented with erythroderma and multiple nodular skin lesions over the face, scalp, upper limbs and trunk. The facial skin was thickened, producing the rare ,leonine facies' appearance. Investigations revealed the presence of atypical lymphoid cells in the peripheral blood, bone marrow and skin. The atypical lymphoid cells in the peripheral blood and bone marrow were positive for helper T-cell antigens (CD4, CD2, CD5 and CD7) on immunophenotyping by flow cytometry. The histopathology of skin showed dermal infiltration by atypical small lymphocytes with epidermotropism. These cells were positive for helper T-lymphocyte antigens on immunohistochemistry. A diagnosis of Sézary syndrome was made based on clinical, peripheral blood and immunophenotypical findings. [source]


Immunophenotyping of inflammatory cells in lesional skin of the extrinsic and intrinsic types of atopic dermatitis

BRITISH JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 1 2004
N-K. Rho
Summary Background There is a subgroup of atopic dermatitis (AD) patients with normal total and specific IgE levels and negative skin tests towards common allergens. This form of the disease has been referred to as the ,intrinsic' form of AD. Although previous studies have demonstrated differences in the cytokine profile between the extrinsic and intrinsic subtypes, the pathogenesis of both subtypes of AD remains unclear. Objectives To compare the inflammatory micromilieu in both forms of AD. Methods Immunophenotyping of the inflammatory cells was performed in lesional and nonlesional skin from 18 patients with extrinsic and 17 with intrinsic AD. Results Immunohistochemical analysis revealed a high proportion of CD4+ T cells in the dermis, with a similar CD4/CD8 ratio in the two groups. The expression levels of other T-cell markers and epidermal Langerhans cells were increased in both forms of AD. Although the T-cell repertoires in the two subtypes were similar, dermal infiltration of eosinophils and eosinophil granular proteins was more prominent in the extrinsic type than in the intrinsic type. Eotaxin immunoreactivity was also significantly higher in the extrinsic subtype. Conclusions The data suggest that although the overall inflammatory microenvironment in the two subtypes appears to be similar, differences in T-cell cytokine production might contribute to the differential tissue eosinophilia in these subtypes. [source]