Regression of dermal mast cell infiltrates in patients with cutaneous mastocytosis

Background. Fourteen children with urticaria pigmentosa (UP) and two with disseminated cutaneous mastocytosis (DCM) were followed. Methods. Three skin biopsies were performed: the first one before the age of 2 years, the second one after 1-year treatment and the third 6 years after the second. Results. The repeated biopsy after the 1-year treatment resulted in a 20-60% regressionof the mast cell infiltrates, while the third one disclosed a 70-90%reduction of these infiltrates. In UP patients the mast cell infiltrate changed from vessel unit type >55 micro m to 55 micro m. In the two nontreated UP patients the mast cell infiltrate type remained