Volume 10, Number 11—November 2004
Research
Histopathologic Improvement with Lymphedema Management, Léogâne, Haiti
Table 3
Number and percentage of skin biopsy specimens in which histopathologic features were detected in 27 patients practicing lymphedema management, Léogâne, Haitia
Location in skin | Histopathologic characteristic | 1st biopsy (N = 27) n (%) | 2nd biopsy (N = 27) n (%) | p value |
---|---|---|---|---|
Epidermis | Hyperkeratosis | 14 (52) | 12 (44) | 0.59 |
Hypergranulosis | 5 (18) | 1 (4) | 0.09 | |
Acanthosis | 7 (26) | 3 (11) | 0.16 | |
Superficial dermis | Fibrolamellar hyperplasia | 16 (59) | 11 (41) | 0.18 |
Condensed collagen | 10 (37) | 5 (18) | 0.13 | |
Perivascular fibrosis | 4 (15) | 1 (4) | 0.17 | |
Perivascular infiltrate | ||||
Acute | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | ||
Chronic | 27 (100) | 16 (59) | 0.0002 | |
Pronounced intensity | 10 (37) | 3 (11) | 0.03 | |
Presence of plasma cells | 7 (26) | 4 (15) | 0.31 | |
Deep dermis | Perivascular fibrosis | 14 (52) | 6 (22) | 0.02 |
Perivascular infiltrate | ||||
Acute | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | ||
Chronic | 25 (93) | 21 (78) | 0.12 | |
Pronounced intensity | 9 (33) | 6 (22) | 0.37 | |
Presence of plasma cells | 18 (67) | 18 (67) | 1 | |
Periadnexal infiltrate | ||||
Acute | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | ||
Chronic | 19 (70) | 9 (33) | 0.007 | |
Pronounced intensity | 7 (26) | 0 (0) | 0.005 | |
Subcutaneous tissue | Infiltrate in fibrous septa | |||
Acute | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | ||
Chronic | 10 (37) | 10 (37) | 1 | |
Pronounced intensity | 5 (18) | 1 (4) | 0.09 |
aFor each patient, the second biopsy specimen was taken near the same site on the same lymphedematous leg ≈1 year after the first biopsy.