Saudi Journal of Pathology and Microbiology (SJPM)
Volume-3 | Issue-03 | 86-92
Original Research Article
Study of Dermal Vascular Changes in Inflammatory Skin Diseases
Dr. Charusheela R. Gore, Dr. Pradnya Shende, Dr. Sourabh P. Paranjape, Dr. Padmakar R. Bardapurkar, Dr. Shirish S. Chandanwale, Dr. Namrata Patro
Published : March 30, 2018
Abstract
The skin is the largest organ in the body. A multitude of diseases are linked
to an insufficient or overactive dermal vasculature. Vessels change their
phenotype,i.e. vascular remodelling in inflammatory conditions. The aim of this study
was to analyse the dermal vascular alterations in various inflammatory skin diseases
& to assess their utility in establishing the differential diagnosis. A unicenter study of
55 (fifty five) skin biopsies received from patients of various non tumorous common
inflammatory skin diseases such as, psoriasis, lichen planus, erythema multiform,
blistering (bullous) lesions and 10 control samples were studied. Morphometric
analysis was performed on CD 34 immunostained sections using image analysis
software (Leica Q Win V3 software analysis system). Mean vascular density (MVD)
and mean vascular calibre (MVC) was calculated. The MVD was maximum in
psoriasis, followed by lichen planus, bullous lesions and erythema multiform. MVD
in psoriasis was significantly higher than the controls. MVC was highest in psoriasis
followed by erythema multiform, lichen planus and bullous lesions. The MVC in
psoriasis, erythema multiform, lichen planus, bullous lesions were significantly higher
than the controls. Elongated, tortuous blood vessels were more prominent in psoriasis.
The endothelial changes noted were swelling in the form of nuclear hypertrophy,
increased cytoplasm and endothelial gaps. Angiogenesis was increased in
inflammatory skin diseases and it was highest in psoriasis. Therefore, therapeutic
intervention at the level of vasoproliferation may prove to be useful.