Abstract

MOREIRA, Ana; ROSMANINHO, Isabel  and  SILVA, José Pedro Moreira da. The importance of skin biopsy: A case report. Rev Port Imunoalergologia [online]. 2016, vol.24, n.1, pp.25-30. ISSN 0871-9721.

Introduction: Dermatosis is a diagnostic challenge and include several pathologies which often have similar clinical presentations. The skin biopsy is a simple and quick procedure that allows the histopathological evaluation of a skin sample. Case report: A 54 years old female, with hypertension and dyslipidemia, was admitted to an Immunoallergology appointment for an erythematous, itchy and persistent skin lesion with 4 years of evolution reaching 2/3 of the body surface and without improvement after treatment with methotrexate and corticosteroids. Prior skin biopsy was compatible with “chronic eczema”. We performed laboratory tests (CBC, biochemistry, immunologic study) and patch tests which were normal and another skin biopsy compatible with mycosis fungoides. After neoplastic staging the patient started phtototherapy PUVA with clinical improvement. Conclusion: This case report underlines the high importance of the skin biopsy as a complementary test because it often allows the clarification and confirmation of the diagnosis.

Keywords : Mycosis; fungoides; skin biopsy.

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