Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology Medknow Publications on behalf of The Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists and Leprologists (IADVL) ISSN: 0378-6323 EISSN: 0973-3922 Vol. 71, Num. 3, 2005, pp. 209-210

Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, Vol. 71, No. 3, May-June, 2005, pp. 209-210

Letter To Editor

Extrusion of sebaceous gland and hair follicle into a blister of bullous pemphigoid

Veeranna S.

Department of Skin and STD, J.S.S. Hospital, Mysore

Correspondence Address: Department of Skin and STD, Mysore - 4, Karnataka, veerannashastry@yahoo.com

Code Number: dv05070

Sir,

I read with interest the article ′Extrusion of sebaceous gland into a blister of pemphigus vulgaris: An unusual processing artifact′[1] and would like to share my experience in this regard. I have noticed a similar finding in a case of bullous pemphigoid.

A 70 year old male patient presented with history of pruritic skin rashes and blisters all over since 15 days. There was no history of drug intake. On examination there were multiple erythematous patches with scaling, few urticarial lesions and tense vesicles and bullae over the trunk and extremities. There were no oral lesions. A clinical diagnosis of bullous pemphigoid was made. Skin biopsy showed subepidermal bulla and many eosinophils. More conspicuous was the presence of a sebaceous lobule with part of the hair follicle attached to it lying inside the blister cavity [Figure - 1].

The artifact of trans-follicular sebaceous gland extrusion usually goes unnoticed or ignored. As the authors have suggested, it may not be an unusual histopathological finding but an unreported one. I agree with the authors that it is an artifact rather than a natural phenomenon. Previous reports have documented the presence of only sebaceous glands but in the above case there was a sebaceous gland with part of the hair follicle attached to it, which is definitely an artifact rather than a natural phenomenon.

REFERENCES

Copyright 2005 - Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology

The following images related to this document are available:

Photo images