Profile of Skin Biopsies and Patterns of Granulomatous Skin Diseases in a Tertiary Care Center of Western Nepal

Background: Granulomatous skin diseases are one ofthe leading causes of morbidity in tropical countrieslike Nepal. These granulomatous skin lesions oftenpose diagnostic challenge to clinicians as well as todermatopathologists. Histopathologic examinationof a biopsy specimen represents one of the mostinformative and cost-effective procedure and may helpto avoid other, costlier and invasive diagnostic workup. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectionalobservational study from October 2018 to October 2019,at department of dermatology, enrolled 142 cases ofskin biopsies. Correlation between clinical impressionand histopathological findings was evaluated. Results: Out of 13940 dermatology visits/consultations, 142 (1.01%) skin biopsies wereperformed. Head, neck and face were the commonestsites of biopsies (29.6%). The most commonbiopsy technique was incisional type in 70 (50.4%).Histopathology showed granulomatous features in 49(34.8%) cases, out of which tuberculoid type was thecommonest, in 29 (58.0%). Positive clinicopathologicalcorrelation was seen in 117/142 (82.4%) for all biopsiesand 41/49 (85%) for granulomaous skin lesions. Conclusion: Tuberculoid type was themost common cutaneous granuloma. Highclinicopathological correlation in our study supportshistopathology as an important tool for diagnosisof granulomatous as well overall skin disorders.