The evaluation of the contribution of agnor staining method to the diagnosis and its relationship with clinicopathological parameters in the differentiation of EARLY mycosis fungoides and mimicker lesions

Introduction and Aim: The aim of our study is to use AgNOR (Argyrophilic nucleollar regulatory region) staining to differentiate between early stage mycosis fungoides (MF) cases and inflammatory dermatoses showing histopathological exocytosis, and to assess their relationship with clinicopathological parameters. Materials and Methods: Thirty cases of histopathologically confirmed MF and thirty cases of inflammatory dermatosis with exocytosis were reviewed retrospectively. In AgNOR stained preparations, 30 cells in the epidermis and dermis were imaged, and the average AgNOR number in each lymphocyte, as well as the total AgNOR area/Total core area ratio (TAA/TCA), were computed. The results were statistically analyzed by comparing the changes in each group's AgNOR parameters. Results: In both the dermis and epidermis of MF patients, the mean AgNOR number and total AgNOR area/Total core area (TAA/TCA) ratio were statistically higher than in IDs. (p<0.005). When comparing the mean AgNOR number of lymphocytes in the dermis and epidermis, as well as TAA/TCA of each patient individually, MF patients showed a statistically significant reduction. (p<0.005). Discussion and Conclusion: Both clinically and histopathologically, MF and ID are frequently confused, especially in the early stages, and it can be difficult to tell the two apart. As a result, more biopsies may be required, and diagnosis may be delayed. To support the diagnosis, new histopathology markers are required. Our findings demonstrate that AgNOR, a simple and low-cost staining approach, can aid in the histopathological distinction of MF and can be a useful method in making the proper diagnosis. Additional studies may improve the method's reliability and enable it to be used in everyday practice.