Non-Neoplastic Dermatopathology

PREFACE

We work with differential diagnoses in our everyday practice of medicine. In the arena of dermatopathology, we are charged with utilizing microscopic features to distinguish between skin diseases that are similar histopathologically but different clin ically and in biologic behavior. Perhaps no other organ in the body has as many diseases that look alike histologically than does the skin. Because of this, nonneoplastic dermatopathol ogy is one of the more difficult areas of surgical pathology for trainees, general pathologists, and dermatopathologists. Distinction between two entities often relies on very subtle histologic features and, ultimately, correlation with the clinical presentation. This book provides an approach to inflammatory dermatopa thology, with each chapter focusing on pathology of a specific anatomic component of the skin or disease category. Each sec tion within a chapter examines two entities that histologically simulate one another. The apparent similarities for each differ

ential diagnosis are compared and contrasted in outline form and illustrated with microscopic images. Essential ancillary studies, including histochemical and immunohistochemical stains, direct immunofluorescence, and molecular analyses, are incorporated into the differential diagnosis. Importantly, the clinical presentation of each entity is discussed for clinico pathologic correlation. The scope of nonneoplastic dermatopathology is exception ally broad, and this book does not attempt to address every possible differential diagnosis. Emphasis is on the more com mon diseases that one could encounter in their daily sign-out. The objective is to dispel some of the confusion and trepida tion concerning inflammatory dermatoses. We hope that trainees and practicing pathologists will enjoy this volume in the Differential Diagnoses in Surgical Pathology series and find it useful in their study of dermatopathology and diagnosis of dermatologic specimens.

Copyright © Wolters Kluwer, Inc. Unauthorized reproduction of the content is prohibited. 2023

v