Synonym(s)
Dyskeratosis
DefinitionThis section has been translated automatically.
Pathological, premature keratinization of individual keratinocytes within the epidermal cell group. Histologically there are 2 forms of dyskeratosis:
- In acantholytic dyskeratosis, round concentric structures are formed, whose centre consists of the homogeneous, basophilic, pycnotic cell nucleus surrounded by a bright courtyard framed by eosinophilic, dyskeratotic material (so-called corps ronds). Occurs in dyskeratosis follicularis, transient acantholytic dermatosis, warty dyskeratoma, rarely in pemphigus chronicus benignus familiaris.
- In neoplastic dyskeratosis (so-called individual keratinization), homogeneous, eosinophilic, roundish corpuscles of approx. 10 μm size develop, which only partially contain remnants of the cell nucleus. Occurs in M. Bowen, keratosis actinica, spinocellular carcinoma, keratoakanthoma and verruca seborrhoica. In any case, dyskeratosis is a sign of an unexpectedly early but slow cell death of keratinocytes ( apoptosis). Keratinocytes that die quickly have no time to keratinize. An example is the normal basket-like stratum corneum above necrotic keratinocytes, e.g. in erythema exsudativum multiforme and fixed drug reactions. Since slowly dying keratinocytes abnormally keratinize, the superimposed stratum corneum is parakeratotic ( M. Bowen) or compact orthokeratotic ( Lichen planus).
Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer
