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.

Copyright © 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel

  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