High-Yield Biopsy Technique for Subepidermal Blisters

The traditional approach for confirming the diagnosis of subepidermal blistering diseases such as bullous pemphigoid (BP), epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA), dermatitis herpetifor-mis (DH), and linear IgA bullous dermatosis (LABD) requires 2 punch biopsies: one from perilesional skin for direct immunofluorescence (DIF) and one from lesional skin for light microscopy using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stain.^1-4 These conditions are distinguished by a combination of features appreciated on H&E-stained sections, DIF, and indirect immunofluorescence for a subset of disorders. Additional information may be provided by DIF or indirect immunofluorescence utilizing the salt-split skin technique to differentiate BP (in which linear IgG deposition is identified by immunofluorescence on the roof of salt-split skin) from EBA and antiepiligrin cicatricial pemphigoid (in which linear IgG deposition is identified by immunofluorescence along the floor of the salt-split skin), which is more rare.⁴ One bisected punch biopsy of a subepidermal blister yields salt-split skin–like information through standard DIF and supersedes the need for the more cumbersome salt-split skin technique.

Serologic tests for the presence of circulating antibodies to BP180 and BP230 represent an emerging technology that can confirm the diagnosis of BP, but it has been difficult to identify clinically useful autoantibodies to confirm diagnoses of EBA and LABD.^5-7 Serologic tests for tissue transglutaminase IgA antibodies may be useful in the diagnosis of DH.⁸ We present a cost-effective approach to biopsy in the diagnosis of subepidermal blistering diseases that provides the necessary diagnostic information to distinguish relevant disease processes.

Subepidermal Blistering Diseases

Bullous pemphigoid commonly presents with widespread tense bullae of varying sizes on an erythematous base or on otherwise normal skin.⁹ Some cases of BP present not with bullae but with pruritic, urticarial, plaquelike, or papular lesions. Bullous pemphigoid commonly involves flexural surfaces and the trunk but can appear anywhere on the skin. The induction of blisters by shearing with mechanical pressure on perilesional skin (Nikolsky sign) is not characteristically present in BP as it is in pemphigus vulgaris.¹⁰ Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita can mimic BP in the development of widespread tense bullae, but blisters typically appear on areas of the skin that are prone to trauma (eg, toes, knees, elbows, hands). Crusted erosions, scarring, and milia also are clinical manifestations of EBA.¹¹ Dermatitis herpetiformis presents with grouped vesicles, papulovesicles, plaques, and excoriations that are symmetrically distributed on extensor surfaces of the skin but also can occur on the buttocks, scalp, and other areas of the skin.^12,13 Although it may mimic both BP and DH, LABD frequently is less pruritic than these other conditions.^14,15 Linear IgA bullous dermatosis also demonstrates the characteristic finding of multiple bullae that form concentrically around a crusted area of skin. This physical finding is known as a string of pearls. Linear IgA bullous dermatosis typically occurs in childhood and may resolve without treatment in months to years.¹⁶

Traditional Biopsy Approach

A review of several articles from the literature and multiple dermatology and dermatopathology textbooks revealed uniform recommendations for biopsy of subepidermal blistering conditions that manifest as tense blisters.^1-4,9-23 A biopsy of early lesional skin or of a blister for light microscopy with H&E stain and biopsy of perilesional skin for DIF is recommended.^1-4,9-23 Three review articles specifically suggested biopsy of “perilesional skin” for DIF.^1-3 The majority of textbooks we reviewed also suggested that perilesional skin, or skin adjacent to a zone of erythema in the case of DH, should be sampled for DIF to assist in the diagnosis of BP, EBA, DH, and LABD.^4,9-21 Biopsy of adjacent or nonlesional skin or skin around the lesion for DIF also was recommended by other textbooks for diagnosis of subepidermal blistering diseases.^22,23 Perilesional skin is chosen because it is critical that the epidermis be included for adequate immunofluorescence studies.^5,20 Biopsy of healed and crusted lesions should be avoided.²⁴

Recommended Alternative Approach

A single punch biopsy produces the best possible specimen for light microscopy with H&E stain and DIF if it is obtained via one of 2 methods.

The first method involves choosing a small, 1- to 2-mm tense blister.²⁵ Use an 8-mm punch centered on the blister that includes at least 3 mm of circumferential perilesional skin (Figures 1 and 2).²⁰ Holding the specimen with forceps, use a no. 15 scalpel blade to bisect the blister with a sawing motion. Place half of the specimen in formalin for H&E staining and the other half in Zeus (or Michel) medium for DIF (Figure 3).

Figure 1. Punch biopsy of subepidermal blisters. For large blisters, a line is drawn with a surgical marker from the roof of the tense blister onto the surrounding perilesional skin. A punch biopsy is obtained from the edge of the blister with approximately 75% of the sample representing perilesional skin. For smaller blisters, the entire blister is punch excised. Illustration by W. Kyle Cunningham, Biomedical Illustration Services at the University of Mississippi Medical Center (Jackson, Mississippi). Figure 2. Punch biopsy of subepidermal blisters. Cross-sectional view showing sampling of a large blister with approximately 75% of the sample representing perilesional skin (A) and a small blister with at least 3 mm of perilesional skin included in the specimen (B). Illustration by W. Kyle Cunningham, Biomedical Illustration Services at the University of Mississippi Medical Center (Jackson, Mississippi).

Figure 3. Punch biopsy of subepidermal blisters. Specimens from large blisters are bisected at the bedside with a no. 15 blade following the line drawn previously to ensure that perilesional skin and the “take-off point” of the blister (the edge of the blister at the point where the epidermis is separated from the papillary dermis) will be visible when the cut edge is properly embedded in the laboratory. Excisional punch biopsies of small blisters are simply bisected. Half of each specimen is placed in formalin for hematoxylin and eosin (H) processing, and half is placed in Zeus (Z)(or Michel) medium for direct immunofluorescence. Illustration by W. Kyle Cunningham, Biomedical Illustration Services at the University of Mississippi Medical Center (Jackson, Mississippi).