The relation of the clinical picture to the histopathology of snuff dipper"s lesions in a Swedish population.

The relation of the clinical picture of snuff dipper's lesions to the histopathological appearance was studied in 114 male dippers aged 20-88 years. Histological study revealed increased epithelial thickness, a vacuolated surface layer with wavelike, eosinophilic spikes directed toward the surface having a narrow, eosinophilic band as a demarcation toward the prickle cell layer, acanthosis, and a slight inflammatory reaction. Thirteen cases showed an increased number of eosinophilic granulocytes, and nine cases contained amorphous, weakly eosinophilic areas in the connective tissue papillae. No epithelial dysplasia was observed. Increased epithelial thicknees, especially the presence of a vacuolated surface layer, was the only histologic feature that could be correlated with the severity of clinical appearance of the lesions. Deeply located changes, like inflammation and amorphous areas, however, were not reflected in the clinical grading of the lesions.