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Idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis: an electron microscopy study
Author(s) -
Kakepis M.,
Havaki S.,
Katoulis A.,
Katsambas A.,
Stavrianeas N.,
Troupis T.G.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of the european academy of dermatology and venereology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.655
H-Index - 107
eISSN - 1468-3083
pISSN - 0926-9959
DOI - 10.1111/jdv.12646
Subject(s) - melanosome , medicine , electron microscope , dermis , pathology , dermatology , biopsy , epidermis (zoology) , anatomy , biology , melanin , optics , genetics , physics
Abstract Background Few published data, concerning the electron microscopy findings of idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis have been published so far. Objectives To reveal the electron microscopic findings of idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis and their aetiopathogenetic associations. Methods Punch biopsy specimens from four patients with idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis, after being properly processed, were observed under the electron microscope. Results In the epidermis, melanocytes and melanosomes were normal in structure. In some areas, there was a reduced uptake of melanosomes by the keratinocytes. In the dermis, fibroblasts were structurally normal. Also, most elastic and collagen fibres were normal, but there were focal elastotic changes. Conclusions No significant structural abnormality of the melanocytes was observed, but rather a functional defect in the transfer of melanosomes from the melanocytes to the keratinocytes.