Objectives:

The incidences of dermatological diseases in the pediatric group differ from those in adults. Skin biopsies are frequently employed by dermatologists at differential diagnosis, and clinicopathological correlation is very important for definite diagnosis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinicopathological correlation in skin biopsies from child patients presenting to our dermatology clinic.

Materials and Methods:

Data of 116 patients aged 18 years or less who were subjected to skin biopsy and pathological examination were screened retrospectively. The results obtained were evaluated in terms of preliminary diagnosis and diagnosis correlation. The groups with and without clinicopathological correlation were subjected to statistical comparison in terms of age, sex, site of biopsy, type of biopsy, and number of preliminary diagnoses.

Results:

Sixty-three (54.3%) patients were boys and 53 (45.7%) were girls. The main dermatological diseases that were diagnosed were psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, Henoch-Schönlein purpura, urticaria, lichen planus, insect bite, pityriasis rubra pilaris, and morphea. Correlation between preliminary diagnoses and pathological diagnoses was present in 97 (83.6%) patients. Biopsy made no contribution to differential diagnosis in 11 (9.5%) patients, diagnoses other than preliminary diagnosis were made in six (5.2%) cases, and examination was not possible in two (1.7%) cases due to insufficient sample. No statistically significant difference was determined between the groups with and without clinicopathological correlation in terms of age, sex, site of biopsy, type of biopsy, or number of preliminary diagnoses (p>0.05).

Conclusion:

Similarly to dermatological diseases in adulthood, skin biopsy is an important diagnostic method that is also employed at differential diagnosis of dermatological diseases in childhood. We think that in order for this diagnostic method to be used more effectively, an accurate and detailed exchange of information is required between the clinician and pathologist, and that the two branches should evaluate the patient together.

Keywords: Pediatric Patient, Dermatopathology, Biopsy, Clinicopathologic Correlation