This week, Vienna became the meeting point for pathologists from all over the world at the 37th European Congress of Pathology. For Dermagnostix, it was an inspiring opportunity to connect with experts, exchange ideas, and shine a spotlight on our passion: molecular diagnostics in dermatopathology.

We were especially excited to join the very first Joint European Meeting of the International Society of Dermatopathology (ISDP), a pre-congress event of the ECP, organized by Prof. Dr. Dieter Metze and Dr. Maite Fernandez-Figueras. This initiative gave dermatopathology a dedicated stage outside the main program that traditionally focuses on cancer – an important step in highlighting the unique challenges and opportunities in inflammatory skin disease, benign or malignant.

Key Takeaways from the Scientific Program

In the session “Challenging Diagnoses in Dermatopathology”, experts emphasized that diagnosis today is less about a single observation and more about solving a puzzle: histology, clinic, and molecular pathology all complement each other to form the full picture.

The lunch session on “Psoriasis and Neutrophilic Dermatoses” offered fascinating insights by Dr. Fernandez-Figueras into the complexities of psoriasiform conditions:

  • Acanthosis, parakeratosis, neutrophile pustules and dilated capillaries remain the histological hallmarks of psoriasis. However, depending on progression, local factors and clinical subform look different under the microscope every time.
  • Psoriasis often mimics other conditions, such as vascular insufficiency, eczema and syphillis. PRP, drug exanthems, AGEP and mycosis fungoides are important differential diagnoses to be considered.

Our Conclusion: The Role of Genetics

What stood out to us most is how often clinical, histological, and molecular clues must be combined to reach a clear diagnosis. In complex cases where inflammation is close to infection, genetic and molecular testing is becoming indispensable.

We see this as a strong validation of our mission: bringing clarity to dermatopathology through innovative molecular diagnostics.

Vienna was a fantastic backdrop for these discussions, and we are grateful for the inspiring exchange with colleagues and thought leaders. We are already looking forward to next year’s ESP Congress and to continuing the dialogue on how to advance dermatopathology together.