UPMC Dermatopathology "Case of the Month" Presentations
UPP - Department of Dermatology, Dermatopathology Unit
Holly R. Mason, M.D., Ph.D., Rana Rofagha, M.D., Drazen M. Jukic, M.D., Ph.D.
MARCH 2007 CASE OF THE MONTH
CLINICAL FINDINGS
33 year old white male presented with a one year history of blisters beginning on the scalp that progressed to involve the chest, back, neck, and arms. He described the blisters as pruritic and painful when ruptured.
His past medical history included obstructive sleep apnea and asthma; his medications included albuterol PRN and montelukast.
On exam, multiple vesicles as well as erythematous papules and plaques with overlying scale and crust were noted on the scalp, chest, back, and arms (Figures 1-3).
A punch biopsy was taken from one of the lesions on the back and demonstrated a subcorneal split with pronounced acantholysis and evidence of spongiosis (Figures 4-7). Evaluation of immunofluorescence revealed an intercellular pattern of IgG deposits (Figure 8).
GO TO FIGURE AND IMAGE REVIEW PAGE