Elastic fiber pattern in regressing melanoma: a histochemical and immunohistochemical study.

Background: Although histopathologic identification of regression of melanoma is usually straightforward, sometimes it can be difficult to distinguish it from scarring fibrosis. Therefore, this study investigates the elastic fiber pattern in melanomas associated with either regression or scars.

Methods: We compared 33 invasive melanomas with the fibrosing stage of regression to 10 cases of invasive melanomas with scarring fibrosis.

The use of elastin immunostain improves the evaluation of melanomas associated with nevi.

Background: Twenty to 30% of malignant melanomas are associated with melanocytic nevi; however, sometimes it is difficult to distinguish the melanoma from the nevus by routine histology. We have previously described distinctive patterns of elastic fibers in nevi and in melanomas.

Methods: We analyzed elastic fiber patterns using elastin immunostain and elastic van Gieson (EVG) stain in 30 cases of invasive melanomas associated with nevi, 12 control melanocytic nevi and 14 control invasive melanomas.

Traumatic neuromas of the penis: a clinical, histopathological and immunohistochemical study of 17 cases.

We present 17 penile traumatic neuromas. The mean patient age at presentation was 38 years (range 23-59 years). The most common site involved was the penile shaft.

A modified approach to the histologic diagnosis of onychomycosis.

Background: Histologic examination of nail clippings with periodic acid-Schiff staining is the most sensitive diagnostic test for onychomycosis; however, difficulties in processing nail plates limit its use. In onychomycosis, fungi are most concentrated in the subungual hyperkeratosis rather than in the nail plate. We hypothesized that the diagnosis of onychomycosis could be effectively made from histologic examination of subungual hyperkeratosis alone.

Possible role of the bulge region in the pathogenesis of inflammatory scarring alopecia: lichen planopilaris as the prototype.

Background: Lichen planopilaris (LPP) is the prototype of scarring alopecias that mainly target the infundibuloisthmic (bulge) region of hair follicle. Hair follicle stem cells have been shown to reside in the bulge.

Methods: We carried out this study to better define the possible pathogenetic role of the bulge in LPP.