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Lymphangioma: Differential diagnosis of a cadaveric nodular pigmented lesion
Author(s) -
Alavalapadu Aparna,
Bhandari Ankit,
Schlegel Elisabeth,
Kirera Francis
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.29.1_supplement.552.9
Subject(s) - gross examination , lesion , medicine , pathology , cadaveric spasm , lymphangioma , histopathology , h&e stain , differential diagnosis , biopsy , gross anatomy , anatomy , radiology , staining
Proper examination of the gross anatomy and histopathology of skin lesions such as lymphangiomas allow physicians to correctly identify and diagnose medical conditions. Objective of this study was to histologically examine a cadaveric nodular, pigmented lesion harvested from a formalin‐embalmed cadaver provided by the Department of Anatomy. Histological techniques such as embedding in paraffin, hematoxylin and eosin staining and light microscopy were used to characterize the lesion. Histologically, widely spaced irregular vascular channels lined by a very thin wall of endothelial cells were observed. This finding provided evidence to discard the working hypothesis of a melanoma and correctly diagnose the lesion as lymphangioma. Relying solely on the gross features of the skin lesion made it difficult to accurately determine the pathology and prognosis of a lesion, resulting in misdiagnosis. Failure to diagnose a lymphangioma can put a patient's health in jeopardy if the lesion cannot be identified and a proper course of treatment not provided. Therefore, it is imperative that physicians biopsy skin lesions examining beyond the gross anatomy features.