Incidental Cutaneous Reaction Patterns: Epidermolytic Hyperkeratosis, Acantholytic Dyskeratosis, and Hailey-Hailey-Like Acantholysis: A Potential Marker of Premalignant Skin Change

Erich M Gaertner

doi:10.1155/2011/645743

Abstract

Focal acantholytic dyskeratosis (FAD), epidermolytic hyperkeratosis (EHK), and Hailey-Hailey-like acantholysis (HH) represent unique histology reaction patterns, which can be associated with defined phenotypic and genotypic alterations. Incidental microscopic foci demonstrating these patterns have been identified in skin and mucosal specimens in association with a gamut of disease processes. These changes, when secondary, are of unclear etiology and significance. The following study further analyzes the incidence and association of these histologic patterns in a routine pathology/dermatopathology practice.

Highlights

A variety of incidental microscopic cutaneous changes have been described in skin and mucosal specimens
500 consecutive skin specimens were reviewed by the author (8/08-9/08) at a different institution to evaluate for incidental foci of epidermolytic hyperkeratosis (EHK)
Six cases of incidental Focal acantholytic dyskeratosis (FAD) and Hailey-like acantholysis (HH) were identified in the 247 skin specimens reviewed, representing 2.4% of the total reviewed

Summary

Introduction

A variety of incidental microscopic cutaneous changes have been described in skin and mucosal specimens. Whether these represent spurious changes of no consequence, or true manifestations of underlying cellular alterations, remains unclear. Incidental FAD, HH, and EHK have been reported in association with a wide variety of benign and malignant skin conditions. (Table 2) Some authors believe these changes represent markers for underlying widespread cellular damage, likely from prolonged sun/ultraviolet light exposure. Several studies show an association of these changes with preneoplastic lesions and malignancy, supporting this theory. Others cite a variety of clinical and pathologic evidence to refute this. A potential association between EHK, and possibly FAD, with atypical/dysplastic nevus has been reported, not uniformly

Material and Methods

Results

Discussion