Greetings!
The Dermatopathology Institute analyzes the current stories making headlines in dermatology with a viewpoint from the microscope, helping you to truly understand all of the nuances of the disease. We enjoyed meeting so many of you at our recent hospital and community presentations. If you would like a presentation at your facility, please contact us. Some of you may be interested in reviewing our other two newsletters. One newsletter is a weekly update that is distributed to our dermatology residents and faculty. The second newsletter is distributed monthly to practicing dermatologists and pathologists. All of these newsletters may be accessed at this link. Archived NewslettersThank you! The Dermatopathology Institute
|
|
How Can a Dermatopathologist Help Me?
|
 Can Tattoos be Harmful?
I asked myself this question when I saw this actual tounge tattoo. A tounge tattoo is still used by many cultures, although in Western societies, it may seem unusual. But aside from the obvious initial pain, bleeding, and possible infection risk, are there are any harmful side effects or bad outcomes? Unfortunately yes.
Some of the tattoo pigment or ink may cause an allergic reaction, sometimes months to years after the initial tattoo. While this reaction may clear on its own, occasionally, it may represent an infection, particularly with rare variants of Mycobacterium, within the same family of bacteria that causes tuberculosis. Other reactions include a granuloma. This is a specialized response of the body to surround and wall off a foreign body. Finally, there are rare examples of a cancer arising within a tattoo, leading to speculation that the chronic injury may predispose the area to develop a cancer. Just like a mole, any change in the appearance of a tattoo should be examined by a dermatologist or other qualified health professional.
A skin biopsy is the only unequivocal way to understand what is happening in a changing tattoo. If a granuloma is present, the dermatopathologist should always alert the treating physician that the patient may have an underlying condition known as sarcoidosis. This rare condition may also result in granulomas in other organs including the lungs and lymph nodes.
|
|
Medical Terms You Should Know
|
 Granuloma
A granuloma is a collection of specialized cells known as epithelioid histiocytes. Histiocytes normally function to engulf foreign material. Under certain circumstances, the histiocytes may form a cohesive nodule known as a granuloma (see photo above). A granuloma may be seen in many disease conditions including infections, foreign bodies, inflammatory dermatoses, systemic diseases, and even malignancies. Thus, a dermatopathologist must be able to integrate the clinical information with the changes that are being viewed on the microscope slide. Additional Links The Doctor's Doctor-Basic Principles of DiseaseThe Doctor's Doctor-Sarcoidosis |
