Histopathologic differentiation between localized and systemic scleroderma.

It is widely accepted that a histopathologic differentiation between localized scleroderma (LS) and systemic scleroderma (SS) is not always possible. With the objective of identifying differentiating histopathological features between them, 32 cases of LS and 19 cases of SS were reviewed. Histological features such as the distribution, composition, and density of the inflammatory cell infiltrate, thickness of the dermis, alterations of dermal collagen, and the presence of calcification were evaluated in each case. On the basis of our observations, LS and SS can be differentiated usually by the distribution and density of the inflammatory infiltrate and by the involvement of the papillary dermis. Inflammatory changes are more prominent in LS than in SS. Sclerosis of the papillary dermis is frequently seen in LS but is absent in SS.