Brunsting-Perry pemphigoid simulating basal cell carcinoma

Abstract

The cases of three patients whose initial clinical presentations suggested superficial multicentric basal cell carcinoma are reported. Although routine histologic examinations were nonspecific, direct immunofluorescence studies showed immunoglobin and/or complement deposition patterns diagnostic of Brunsting-Perry variant pemphigoid. There is a wide spectrum of clinical presentation of Brunsting-Perry pemphigoid. In cases in which there is a minimum of blistering activity, the use of direct immunofluorescence is invaluable for definitive diagnosis.