SEEING SKIN IN CUTANEOUS VASCULITIDES THROUGH PATHOLOGIST'S EYES: ROLE OF HISTOPATHOLOGY AND DIF IN DIAGNOSIS

Abstract

Vasculitides is a group of disorders characterized by inflammation of vessel wall. Because of its rich vasculature, the skin manifestations are frequently seen in vasculitis. Vasculitis is a clinico-pathologic diagnosis. Histopathologic study of skin biopsy is confirmatory while direct immuofluorescence (DIF) examination is adjunctive to this and helps to categorize the vasculitis. Although the percentages of cases of Cutaneous Vasculitis diagnosed on histopathology & direct immunofluorescence separately were found to be comparable in this study, both techniques have their own place in the confirmation & classification of cutaneous vasculitis particularly in HSP with appropriate clinical correlation.