Ultrastructure of So‐called Multicentric Pigmented Bowen's Disease

Abstract

Two cases of so‐called multicentric pigmented Bowen's disease were examined by electron microscopy. The three types of genital lesions found in Case 1, including typical black papules, whitish macerated papules and brownish‐black papillomatous lesions, showed both dyskeratotic features which were less pronounced than those of ordinary Bowen's disease, and virus‐like particles in the nuclei of the keratinocytes beneath the horny layer. On the other hand, the two types of lesions in Case 2 showed similar features, although dyskeratotic features were not apparently observed. These results suggest that the three types of genital lesions in Case 1 are similar to each other, and also to extragenital lesions, which were also present, and that there may be a common pathogenetic factor, probably human papilloma virus.

Ultrastructure of Senile Keratosis

“…2a), and perinuclear condensations of nuclear chromatins in the upper epidermis. A few binucleated keratinocytes and mitotic figures similar to those reported previously (11) were also observed. In the upper epidermis, especially beneath the parakeratotic horny layer, small numbers of tiny spherical keratohyalin and perinuclear vacuolization or lipid droplet-formation were also observed (Fig.…”

“…Summary of the ultrastructural findings electron microscopic examination. One to two mmthick pieces were processed as described previously (11). These were briefly fixed in 2% glutaraldehyde and then in 1 % osmium tetroxide, dehydrated in graded ethanols, and embedded in Epon 812.…”

A light and electron microscopic study of bowenoid papulosis

“…(7) and Kimura (5), no interruptions in the con tinuity of the basement membrane could be found. Some authors (5, 9) believe that bowenoid papu• !osis is caused by vira!…”

Condylomata acuminata with Pigmented Papular Lesions

“…2a), although the papules of MPBD usually show mild to typical bowenoid atypia. Ultrastructural features of MPBD may also be somewhat similar to those of condylomata acuminata in the aspect of showing perinuclear vacuolization of the kératinocytes in the upper epidermis [5] and human papilloma virus like particles in the nuclei of the kératinocytes beneath the horny layer [3], although they are basically similar to the alterations observed in Bowen's disease [5], From the above findings, it seems that the pigmented papules of condylomata acuminata and of MPBD may essentially be the same kind of lesion. Multinucleated epidermal cell with clumped nuclei which is one of the histological characteristics of Bowen's disease and of MPBD has also been observed in nonneoplastic inflammatory conditions [4,6,7,10,12].…”