Light and transmission electron microscopy of generalized dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (Pasini's albopapuloid subtype)

Abstract

Pasini's albopapuloid epidermolysis bullosa is a very rare subtype of generalized dystrophic dominant epidermolyis bullosa. A 30 year-old white female patient presented since her childhood disseminated small blisters and papules. Light microscopy of a blister showed dermal-epidermal cleavage; moreover, focal areas of dermal-epidermal splitting were also observed. Transmission electron microscopy also identified focal areas of cleavage, which were seen below the lamina densa. It is important to recognize this condition as a variant of epidermolysis bullosa, since the most important cutaneous findings are generalized papules and not blisters and erosions as in other forms of epidermolysis bullosa.