Vascularity and Fractal Dimension of the Dermo-Epidermal Interface in Guttate and Plaque-Type Psoriasis

Vol. 210, No. 3, 2005

Free Abstract Article (Fulltext) Article (PDF 138 KB)

Clinical and Laboratory Investigations

Vascularity and Fractal Dimension of the Dermo-Epidermal Interface in Guttate and Plaque-Type Psoriasis
Isabelle Uhoda, Gérald E. Piérard, Claudine Piérard-Franchimont, Jorge E. Arrese, Véronique Goffin, Arjen Nikkels, Philippe Paquet, Pascale Quatresooz

Department of Dermatopathology, University Hospital of Liège, Liège, Belgium

Address of Corresponding Author

Dermatology 2005;210:189-193 (DOI: 10.1159/000083508)

Key Words

Angiogenesis in psoriasis
Dermo-epidermal interface
Fractal dimension
Microvasculature

Abstract

Background: Histological structures of the skin are often irregular in size and shape. Euclidean geometry and fractal analysis are complementary for assessing distinct aspects of their dimensions. Objective: To determine and compare the variations in shape of the dermo-epidermal junction and the size of the superficial vessels in psoriatic lesions. Method: The relative microvasculature area and the fractal dimension D of the dermo-epidermal interface were measured inside and outside growth-stunted guttate lesions (n = 22) and expanding plaques (n = 37) in psoriasis of the trunk. Results: The median D values of the dermo-epidermal interface were significantly larger (p < 0.01) in psoriatic plaques (D = 1.15) than in guttate lesions (D = 1.08), and these D values on lesional skin were significantly larger (p < 0.01) than in the uninvolved skin (D = 1.03). The microvasculature was significantly (p < 0.01) more developed in lesional (plaque: 13%, guttate: 8.20%) than in uninvolved skin (3.60 and 3.85%). No correlations were found between the relative microvasculature areas and the D values of the dermo-epidermal interface, both in the uninvolved and lesional skins of each psoriatic type. Conclusion: The absence of a relationship between modulations of the dermo-epidermal junction and vascular hyperplasia, both in expanding and stable psoriasis lesions, suggests that these events are regulated by different mechanisms and do not depend on each other.

Author Contacts

Dr. Pascale Quatresooz
Department of Dermatopathology
CHU Sart-Tilman
BE-4000 Liège (Belgium)
Tel. +32 4 366 24 29, Fax +32 4 366 29 76, E-Mail pascale.quatresooz@chu.ulg.ac.be

Article Information

Received: March 25, 2004
Accepted: September 13, 2004
Number of Print Pages : 5
Number of Figures : 4, Number of Tables : 0, Number of References : 36

Medline Abstract (ID 15785045)

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