Korean J Dermatol.
1999 Feb;37(2):156-162.
A Histopathologic Study of Pilosebaceous Changes in Psoriatic Lesion of the Scalp
Abstract
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BACKGROUND: Although there have been many studies on psoriasis, only a few studies have been conducted on pilosebaceous changes and even those results are controversial. While a few studies have been conducted on the morphological changes of the pilosebaceous unit in scalp psoriasis, comparative studies on the morphometric changes of pilosebaceous structures with a normal control group have not been conducted.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study is to elucidate the morphological change of the pilosebaecous unit in scalp psoriasis.
METHODS
We conducted a comparative study an the morphometric changes of the pilosebaceous structure in 10 cases of scalp psoriasis with a normal control group.
Results
: The results of this study are summarized as follows : 1. Total hair counts, telogen hair counts, telogen hair counts, and the sizes of hairs and follicles in the lesional scalp showed no statistically significant increase than in the normal control. 2. The intrafollicular hyperkeratosis in infundibulum and sebaceous atrophy were more proininet in the lesional area than in the normal control area. These findings were also significantly prominent in the uninvolved normal-appearing area than in the normal control area. 3. Perifollicular inflammation, squamous metaplasia of the sebaceous gland and telangiectasia in the lesional and uninvolved areas were prominent, and these findings were not found in the normal control areas.
Conclusion
: The sebaceous atrophy and squamous metaplasia are very important findings of morphologic changes in psoriasis, and this paradoxical change may be an important clue to clarify the pathogenesis of psoriasis.
