Early changes in human epidermis following thermal burn: an electron microscopic study.

Early alterations in the epidermis of human volunteers following 60 degrees and 95 degrees C burns were studied by means of electron microscopy. The blister was induced at 30 seconds following a 60 degrees C burn for 1 and 3 minutes by disintegration of the basal cells just above the basement membrane, and, in addition, for 3 minutes by disruption of the intercellular bridges adjacent to the desmosomes in the suprabasal cells. The keratinocytes of the separated epidermis revealed intracytoplasmic vacuoles, widening of the intercellular spaces and, in some cells, vacuolization of the mitochondria. At 30 seconds following a 95 degrees C burn for 3 seconds, the blister was induced by complete breakage of the basal and suprabasal cells which demonstrated karyorrhexis, aggregated tonofibrils and breaks in the plasma membrane. The keratinocytes of the blister roof showed aggregation of the tonofibrils at the periphery, and vacuolization of mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum. The desmosomes and basement membrane revealed no alterations with 60 degrees and 95 degrees C burns.