Fluorescence microscopy for the evaluation of elastic tissue patterns within fibrous proliferations of the skin on hematoxylin-eosin-stained slides

Publication date: Available online 5 January 2018
Source:Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
Author(s): Robert Borucki, David M. Perry, Dan R. Lopez-Garcia, Viktoryia Kazlouskaya, Dirk M. Elston
BackgroundDiagnosis of fibrous tumors can be challenging and expensive due to the use of special stains.ObjectiveDetermine the usefulness of fluorescence microscopy in the evaluation of elastic pattern on H&E stained slides.MethodsA total of 228 slides were evaluated by fluorescence microscopy for elastic tissue patterns and sensitivity and specificity determined for relevant comparisons.ResultsFluorescence microscopy was found to be useful especially in the case of distinguishing dermatofibroma (DF) vs dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) and also dermatomyofibroma (DMF) vs other fibrous tumors.LimitationsIn some cases, excessive background staining made it difficult to interpret.ConclusionEvaluation of elastic tissue patterns by fluorescence microscopy in fibrous tumors is a cheap and efficient means to further delineate these often challenging tumors.