title: Utility of deeper sections and special stains for dermatopathology specimens.
abstract: Special (non-hematoxylin and eosin) stains and deeper sections are routinely used in dermathopathology, although their utility has not been well established. All cases requiring special stains or deeper sections over a three-month period were reviewed to see how often these additional studies contributed to accurate diagnosis. In our series, deeper sections provided diagnostic information to the pathologist in 37.3% [95% confidence interval (CI) 28-46%] of the cases in which they were performed. Deeper sections are more likely to provide a more accurate diagnosis (23.6%, 95% CI 16-32%) rather than establish a new diagnosis not seen on the original sections (13.6%, 95% CI 7-20%). Their use is especially helpful in assessing the presence or absence of cutaneous malignancy rather than in diagnosing inflammatory skin processes. Special stains contributed to the diagnosis in 21.1% (95% CI 11-32%) of cases. When special stains were performed to diagnose an infection they were effective in 14.7% (95% CI 6-24%) of the cases. When special stains were performed to diagnose any other pathologic processes (neoplasm, inflammation, collagen vascular disease, and amyloid) they were effective in 31.8% (95% CI 24-44%) of the cases.
authors.affiliation: Section of Dermatology and Pathology, Hershey Medical Center of the Pennsylvania State University, 17033, USA.
authors.forename: C P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Maingi
authors.forename: K F
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Helm
mesh_terms: D004396:Coloring Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004801:Eosine Yellowish-(YS); D006416:Hematoxylin; D006652:Histological Techniques; D006801:Humans; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology*; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000473:pathology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D004396:Coloring Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004801:Eosine Yellowish-(YS); D006416:Hematoxylin