title: Idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis: an electron microscopy study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Few published data, concerning the electron microscopy findings of idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis have been published so far.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To reveal the electron microscopic findings of idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis and their aetiopathogenetic associations.
  
  
  METHODS
  Punch biopsy specimens from four patients with idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis, after being properly processed, were observed under the electron microscope.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the epidermis, melanocytes and melanosomes were normal in structure. In some areas, there was a reduced uptake of melanosomes by the keratinocytes. In the dermis, fibroblasts were structurally normal. Also, most elastic and collagen fibres were normal, but there were focal elastotic changes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  No significant structural abnormality of the melanocytes was observed, but rather a functional defect in the transfer of melanosomes from the melanocytes to the keratinocytes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, 'Henry Dunant' Hospital, Athens, Greece.|2nd Department of Dermatology and Venereology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, 'Attikon' General University Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kakepis
authors.affiliation: Department of Histology and Embryology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Havaki
authors.affiliation: 2nd Department of Dermatology and Venereology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, 'Attikon' General University Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Katoulis
authors.affiliation: 1st Department of Dermatology and Venereology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, 'Andreas Syggros' Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Katsambas
authors.affiliation: 2nd Department of Dermatology and Venereology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, 'Attikon' General University Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Stavrianeas
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: T G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Troupis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017496:Hypopigmentation / Q000473:pathology*; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008297:Male; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology*