Lymphocytes and necrosis of the cutaneous microvasculature in malignant atrophic papulosis: a refined light microscope study.
Malignant atrophic papulosis is a disease characterized by multiple distinctive cutaneous and often lethal visceral infarctions. In some individuals, the diagnosis is not made until the skin manifestations are noted in a seriously ill patient with gastrointestinal and/or central nervous system disease. In other individuals, the disorder may pursue a benign course with only skin manifestations for many years. Using refined light microscopy to examine the skin lesions, the extensive nature of the necrotic microvascular alterations, a predominant lymphocytic infiltrate, and neural changes are documented. These findings suggest that the cutaneous lesions of malignant atrophic papulosis may result from a lymphocyte-mediated necrotizing vasculitis that affects the entire cutaneous microvasculature.
D000328:Adult; D001284:Atrophy; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology*; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000473:pathology; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009336:Necrosis; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000473:pathology*