Ichthyosis linearis circumflexa: morphological and biochemical studies.

Extensive morphological and biochemical studies were carried out on two sibling cases of ichthyosis linearis circumflexa. The condition was found to be similar to psoriasis in the following ways: effectiveness of PUVA therapy, psoriatic changes on light and electron microscopy, high urinary polyamine levels, elevation of several enzyme activities in the scales, and a remarkable change in keratin molecules. These results may reflect an increased epidermal proliferation with a reduced epidermal transit time, as occurs in psoriasis.