title: Mucin deposits in morphea and systemic scleroderma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Though rarely reported, mucin deposition may be observed in scleroderma.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To verify the frequency of significant amounts of mucin in the biopsy specimens.
  
  
  METHODS
  Biopsies from 20 patients with scleroderma were reviewed and stained to verify the presence of mucin.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mucin deposits were found in all of the 20 specimens.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mucin deposition is probably a constant feature in both morphea and systemic scleroderma. Its relevance in differential diagnosis between scleredema and scleroderma is debatable.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rongioletti
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gambini
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Micalizzi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pastorino
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rebora
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009077:Mucins / Q000378:metabolism*; D012594:Scleroderma, Localized / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D009077:Mucins