Dermatopathology

Recent advances in dermatopathology such as epidermal cytokines, adhesion molecules, DNA analysis, and the application of the polymerase chain reaction are of undoubted scientific importance. However, most laboratories have limited access to these techniques and in many instances the diagnostic role in skin disease remains uncertain. Accordingly, the summaries have been selected because of their diagnostic relevance to general histopathologists reporting dermatopathology. They have been chosen from journals not usually perused by general histopathologists, and cutaneous lymphoproliferative disorders have been purposely omitted in view of recent personal coverage (Slater DN. J Pathol 1987; 153 : 5–19; J Pathol 1990; 162 : 1–4; Br J Dermatol 1991; 124 : 309–323).