CYTOLOGIC investigations of "benign familial pemphigus" are an aid in more definitely classifying this dermatosis. There have been numerous proponents1 of and opponents2 to the consideration of this lesion as bullous keratosis follicularis (Darier's disease). Since there is no proved etiologic factor, those who oppose its relationship to Darier's disease classify it as a disease sui generis and do not relate it to Darier's disease or to pemphigus.
We are reporting histologic and cytologic studies on five patients with benign familial pemphigus. These patients were all presented at local dermatological societies, and their clinical and histological diagnoses were accepted unanimously.
HISTOLOGY
The histological findings in "benign familial pemphigus" are consistent and usually suggest the diagnosis. Lysis of epidermis with intraepidermal vesicle formation is observed. The floor of the vesicle consists of the basal layer of epidermal cells and occasionally a second layer of cells. The