Pemphigus foliaceus in an elderly woman: advantages and limitations of histopathology in pemphigus

Magdalena Jałowska; Monika Bowszyc-Dmochowska; Maciej Spałek; Bogusz Falkowski; Marian Dmochowski

doi:10.5114/dr.2023.136328

eISSN: 2084-9893
ISSN: 0033-2526

Dermatology Review/Przegląd Dermatologiczny

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6/2023
vol. 110

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abstract:

Case report

Pemphigus foliaceus in an elderly woman: advantages and limitations of histopathology in pemphigus

Magdalena Jałowska

¹

,

Monika Bowszyc-Dmochowska

²

,

Maciej Spałek

¹

,

Bogusz Falkowski

¹

,

Marian Dmochowski

¹

Autoimmune Blistering Dermatoses Section, Department of Dermatology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
Cutaneous Histopathology and Immunopathology Section, Department of Dermatology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland

Dermatol Rev/Przegl Dermatol 2023, 110, 689-693

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/dr.2023.136328

Online publish date: 2024/05/03

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Introduction:
Diagnosing autoimmune blistering diseases is based on clinical presentation and direct immunofluorescence detection of circulating autoantibodies. However, a histopathological examination of the affected tissues may also be helpful in such a diagnosis.

Objective:
To present a case illustrating that a histopathological examination facilitates the diagnosis of autoimmune blistering diseases, particularly for a patient with concomitant dermatological conditions.

Case report:
We present the case of a 91-year-old female patient with symptoms of generalized scaly, crusted erosions on an erythematosus base, who was diagnosed with psoriasis 10 years earlier. Based on a histopathological examination, there was a suspicion of pemphigus foliaceus, which was later confirmed by direct immunofluorescence and the multiparametric ELISA.

Conclusions:
A histopathological examination is not obligatory for a pemphigus diagnosis; however, in ambiguous cases, where a patient has other concomitant dermatoses, it may significantly improve the accuracy of the diagnosis. The limitations and advantages of histopathological examinations in pemphigus are discussed.

keywords:

Pemphigus foliaceus in an elderly woman: advantages and limitations of histopathology in pemphigus

Magdalena Jałowska 1 , Monika Bowszyc-Dmochowska 2 , Maciej Spałek 1 , Bogusz Falkowski 1 , Marian Dmochowski 1

histopathological examination, pemphigus foliaceus, autoimmune blistering diseases

Magdalena Jałowska

¹

,

Monika Bowszyc-Dmochowska

²

,

Maciej Spałek

¹

,

Bogusz Falkowski

¹

,

Marian Dmochowski

¹