Comparative morphometric analysis of intraepidermal and dermal lymphocytes in early mycosis fungoides and some inflammatory dermatoses.
OBJECTIVE
Early stage mycosis fungoides (MF) may be indistinguishable from some inflammatory dermatoses (IDs) histopathologically. Various morphologic features of lymphocytes in epidermis and dermis may help to differentiate early-stage MF from other IDs.


METHODS
We studied 25 cases of early-stage MF and 30 cases of various IDs with prominent exocytosis. The following nuclear variables were measured on dermal and epidermal lymphocytes in MF and IDs (control) groups: nuclear area and perimeter, area convex hull, perimeter convex hull, diameter equivalent circle, minimum feret, maximum feret and form factor. All measurements were done using routinely prepared and hematoxylin-eosin-stained slides.


RESULTS
There were statistically significant differences (p < 0.01) for all of the morphometric variables between early-stage MF and IDs.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results revealed that the nuclear contour irregularities of intraepidermal lymphocytes are higher than those of dermal lymphocytes in MF. Their nuclear geometry is also different. Comparison of the nuclear features of intraepidermal with dermal lymphocytes may provide additional support in the diagnosis of early-stage MF.
Gamsizkan
Mehmet
M
Department of Pathology, Gülhane Military Medical Academy and School of Medicine, Etlik, Ankara, Turkey. drgamsiz@mynet.com
Demiriz
Murat
M
Karslioğlu
Yildirim
Y
Günhan
Omer
O
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D020405:Dermis / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000473:pathology*; D004817:Epidermis / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009182:Mycosis Fungoides / Q000473:pathology*; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*