Spongiotic reaction patterns in autoimmune bullous dermatoses (Review)

Balan,Raluca Anca; Lozneanu,Ludmila; Grigoras,Adriana; Caruntu,Irina Draga; Balan,Teodora Ana; Giusca,Simona Eliza; Amalinei,Cornelia

doi:10.3892/etm.2021.10769

Spongiotic reaction patterns in autoimmune bullous dermatoses (Review)

Authors:
- Raluca Anca Balan
- Ludmila Lozneanu
- Adriana Grigoras
- Irina Draga Caruntu
- Teodora Ana Balan
- Simona Eliza Giusca
- Cornelia Amalinei
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Affiliations: Department of Morphofunctional Sciences I, ‘Grigore T. Popa’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
Published online on: September 20, 2021 https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2021.10769
Article Number: 1334
Copyright: © Balan et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Spongiosis or a spongiotic reaction pattern is the histological hallmark of intercellular epidermal edema, viewed as clear spaces within the epidermis. Although considered a histopathological term, spongiosis has clinical correlations, with the variable degrees of spongiotic reaction leading to different dermatological findings. This review aimed to highlight the spongiotic reactive patterns found in different autoimmune bullous dermatoses, considering the paucity of publications in this domain. The pathogenesis of spongiosis assumes the passage of extravasated edema fluid from the dermis into the epidermis, frequently accompanied by dermal inflammatory cells, and classification of the spongiotic reaction patterns, as well as their associated spongiotic dermatitis, take into consideration the type and distribution of these inflammatory cells. It is mandatory to consider different reactive processes, specific for other skin disorders, which act as simulants of different spongiotic patterns for the diagnosis. Considering the possible transient occurrence, the heterogeneity and non‑specificity of the histopathological features of these diseases, the diagnosis is very complex, requiring clinicopathological correlations and additional analyses. A deep insight into spongiosis pathogeny may open the perspectives of a classification refinement of autoimmune bullous dermatose

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