title: Nipple-areolar pigmentation: histology and potential for reconstitution in breast reconstruction.
abstract: The makeup of nipple-areolar skin, in terms of its melanin and melanocyte content has not previously been established. This histological information is required if pigmentation of the reconstructed nipple-areola is to be successful in post-mastectomy breast reconstruction. We describe examination of 200 parallel sections of nipple-areolar skin of 20 women using histochemical (Masson-Fontana) and immunohistochemical (Mel-5) techniques, evaluated using quantitative image analysis. The amount of melanin present per length of basement membrane was 2.14 times higher in areolar skin than breast skin. The ratio of melanocytes to keratinocytes was 1:9.7 in areolar skin vs. 1:14.7 in breast skin. We also describe a cell culture and skin construct method using autologous human serum without toxic growth promoting additives, which could be used in the clinical setting of nipple-areolar reconstruction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia. nicoladean@iprimus.com.au
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Dean
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Haynes
authors.forename: Jim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brennan
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Neild
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Goddard
authors.forename: Bronwyn
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dearman
authors.forename: Rod
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cooter
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000737:chemistry*; D016462:Mammaplasty / Q000379:methods*; D008543:Melanins / Q000032:analysis*; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000737:chemistry*; D009558:Nipples / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000166:cytology* / Q000601:surgery; D012880:Skin Pigmentation
chemical_list: D008543:Melanins