The presence of clusters of plasmacytoid dendritic cells is a helpful feature for differentiating lupus panniculitis from subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma
Journal
Histopathology
Journal Volume
62
Journal Issue
7
Pages
1057-1066
Date Issued
2013
Author(s)
Abstract
Aims: Both lupus panniculitis (LP) and subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma (SPTCL) are characterized by subcutaneous lobular lymphocytic infiltrates, and they are sometimes difficult to differentiate. Recently, plasmacytoid dendritic cells (PDCs) were found to be present in various types of cutaneous lupus erythematosus lesions, including LP, and are supposed to play important pathogenetic roles. The aim of this study was to investigate whether PDCs are differentially present in these two diseases and can be utilized to differentiate them. Conventional histopathological features were also compared. Methods and results: Initial biopsies from 21 LP and 11 SPTCL patients were analysed. Our results showed that the presence of lymphoid follicles, dermal mucin deposition and lack of moderate to marked nuclear atypia or adipocyte rimming were more suggestive of LP. Several distinct patterns of fat necrosis, i.e. hyaline/lipomembranous and fibrinoid/coagulative in LP and SPTCL, respectively, were also diagnostically useful. Also, clusters of PDCs were characteristically seen in LP lesions (17/21, 81%) but not in SPTCL lesions (2/11, 18.2%). In LP lesions, but not in SPTCL lesions, the presence of epidermal interface change correlated perfectly with the presence of PDCs in the papillary dermis. Conclusions: We conclude that the presence of clusters of PDCs and certain histological features are helpful for the differential diagnosis. ? 2013 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
SDGs
Other Subjects
mucin; adult; article; biopsy; clinical article; comparative study; fat necrosis; female; histopathology; human; lymph follicle; male; panniculitis; plasmacytoid dendritic cell; priority journal; subcutaneous t cell lymphoma; Adipocytes; Adult; Clone Cells; Dendritic Cells; Dermis; Diagnosis, Differential; Fat Necrosis; Female; Gene Rearrangement, T-Lymphocyte; Humans; Lymphoid Tissue; Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous; Male; Mucins; Panniculitis, Lupus Erythematosus; Plasma Cells; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; Subcutaneous Tissue
Type
journal article