Histological and rheological grading of cutaneous sclerosis in scleroderma.

We report a combined method using histology and determination of mechanical properties of skin allowing the grading of cutaneous sclerosis in morphea and acroscleroderma. Four parameters appeared useful, i.e. the evaluation of the skin thickness and of the fibrocyte density by morphometry as well as the measurement in vivo of the deformability and of the biologic elasticity of the skin. Such evaluations of the cutaneous changes occurring in scleroderma can be used to monitor therapy.