Dyskeratotic cells

Dyskeratotic cells                        See DX Path for details of the conditions below

What is a dyskeratotic cell down the microscope? In the epidermis it is pink because of either early or abnormal keratinisation .Ocassionally a bit of a basophilic nucleus may persist. Unfortunately a variety of other terms are used in describing these cells in different conditions.

Dyskeratotic cells high up in the epidermis are a feature of Adult onset Still's disease. Multiple dyskeratotic cells scattered throughout an acanthotic epidermis is seen in incontinentia pigmenti

Kamino bodies - definitely basement membrane
Civatte bodies - dyskeratotic cells in the upper dermis
Colloid bodies - interface dermatitis, may be basement membrane and immunoglobulin
Cytoid bodies - same as colloid bodies
Corps ronds  and Grains  - acantholytic dyskeratotic cells seen in Dariers and other acantholytic disorders

Apoptotic, dyskeratotic and necrotic keratinocytes can all look the same!

You come across these terms most in Darier's disease, Lichen planus, Graft versus Host disease, Erythema multiforme,  PLEVA, Warty dyskeratoma, Spitz nevi (Kamino bodies) and Incontinentia pigmenti

Verrucous Incontinentia Pigmenti with dyskeratotic cells