Outcome of facial rashes with non-specific histological features: A long-term follow-up of 64 cases

L. E. Rhodes, R. A G Parslew, J. Ashworth

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    Facial inflammatory dermatoses can be difficult to diagnose in their early stages; skin biopsy may help but often shows indeterminate features. The aims of our study were to identify patients presenting with a facial dermatosis requiring skin biopsy, in whom the initial histological features were classified as 'non-specific', to determine the eventual diagnostic outcome, and to attempt to identify subtle early histological features. We located 79 such cases with indeterminate histology from 45,000 dermatopathology reports 1972-1987. The original biopsies were assessed and scored using a check-list of 20 features and the patients' case-records up to 1992 were examined. Follow-up information was available in 64 cases and an eventual clinical diagnosis was made in 54 (84%) of these; the commonest diagnoses were rosacea (26%), chronic discoid lupus erythematosus (24%) and seborrheic or unclassified dermatitis (17%). Histological differences were seen in the original biopsies of these three diagnostic categories, although none was predictive. We conclude that clinical follow-up leads to the diagnosis of most facial rashes initially showing 'non-specific' histology.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)160-163
    Number of pages3
    JournalJournal of Cutaneous Pathology
    Volume22
    Issue number2
    Publication statusPublished - 1995

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