Abstract: Chen Hao, Jiang Yiqun, Xu Xiulian, Zeng Xuesi, Sun Jianfang. Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing 210042, China Corresponding author: Sun Jianfang, Email: fangmin5758@aliyun.com 【Abstract】 Objective To estimate the diagnostic value of interstitial infiltration pattern for early morphea. Methods Twenty-five cases of early morphea pathologically characterized by interstitial infiltration of inflammatory cells were collected from 2010 to 2012. The clinicopathological features of these cases were retrospectively analyzed. Results The average clinical course was 7.5 months. The primary manifestation was edematous dark erythematous plaques, and interstitial or mixed infiltrate of inflammatory cells was the characteristic histopathological presentation. After anti-inflammatory treatment, lesions markedly improved or disappeared in 70% of these patients. Conclusions Interstitial infiltration of inflammatory cells is a rare histologic pattern in early morphea. To learn and recognize this pattern may be beneficial to the diagnosis and treatment of early morphea.

Key words: Scleroderma, localized, Histology, Inflammation, Cells