Ultrastructural changes in four cases of lichen sclerosus et atrophicus

Abstract

The ultrastructural changes in extragenital lichen sclerosus et atrophicus have been studied in four cases. The most pronounced changes are present in the dermis, where there are collagen degeneration and regeneration and increased amounts of elastin. The basal lamina shows holes, long gaps, and replication. Degenerate dermal material passes into the epidermis, which has increased numbers of Langerhans' cells and decreased numbers of melanocytes. These phenomena are discussed.