Langerhans´ cells in seborrheic keratosis. A clinical and ultrastructural study

Abstract

Skin biopsies from 10 patients with seborrheic keratoses were examined by electron microscopy for the presence of Langerhans´ cells. Comparing seborrheic keratoses with normal skin of the same patient and with normal skin from controls, neither an increased number of Langerhans´ cells nor an increased number of specific granules, Birbeck granules, nor abnormal Langerhans´ cells, was found. Melanosomes in a Langerhans´ cell were observed in 2 seborrheic keratoses, suggesting phagocytic activity of the Langerhans´ cell.