[Behavior of papillary capillaries in initial common psoriasis].

The capillary pattern of the papillary body in early psoriatic lesions was compared with that in normal skin and in full developed psoriatic lesions. In contrast to the normal skin, dilated and occasionally tortuous capillaries were already to be seen in early lesions. Furthermore, the density of the capillary network showed a significant increase, which may have been due to neovascularisation. Our histological examination of fully developed psoriatic lesions revealed the characteristic capillary pattern. The increased capillary density is most probably caused by coiling of the capillaries; it is also possible, however, that the difference between early and advanced psoriatic lesions is due to further vascular proliferation.