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A Speculative Review of the Clinical Spectrum of Epidermal Basal Cell Damage With Special Reference to Erythema Dyschromicum Perstans

Hermann Pinkus, MD

Arch Dermatol. 1973;107(6):840-846.

Abstract
The lichenoid tissue reaction in which epidermal basal cell damage gives rise to a cascade of histologic events that produce lichenoid or poikilodermatous clinical pictures is outlined. Histologic features in the epidermis are degeneration of basal cells, preservation or increase of granular layer, orthokeratosis, and damage to melanocytes. In the dermis, lymphocytic infiltrate with tendency to invade the lower epidermal layers, capillary proliferation, and participation of histiocytes with formation of pigmented macrophages are characteristic.

To the lichenoid and poikilodermatous groups of lesions is added a relatively new subgroup, exemplified by erythema dyschromicum perstans and lichen pigmentosus. The question is raised, whether the recent increase of pigmenting dermatitis of various type is due to the reaction of the skin of predisposed individuals to some as yet unknown environmental contaminant.

Author Affiliations
Detroit

From the Department of Dermatology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, and the Detroit General Hospital, Detroit, and the Veterans Administration Hospital, Allen Park, Mich.

Footnotes
Accepted for publication March 14, 1973.

This review is an elaboration of papers read at the annual meetings of the Canadian Dermatological Association, St. John's, Newfoundland, July 12, 1971, and the American Society of Dermatopathology, Bal Harbour, Fla, Dec 1, 1972.

Reprint requests to Wayne State University School of Medicine, Department of Dermatology and Syphilology, 540 E Canfield, Detroit 48201 (Dr. Pinkus).

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