Introduction: Skin diseases are one of the most common health problems in India. Histopathological examination of skin biopsy is the gold standard for most dermatological diagnosis. Our medical college being the only govt tertiary institute in north Maharashtra this work has been undertaken, to study the spectrum of various skin disorders that affect the north Maharashtra population. Methods: The study was undertaken in the department of Pathology, S.B.H. Govt Medical College and Hospital, Dhule the only tertiary care centre in North Maharashtra region. It included all the skin biopsies received by the department of pathology for histopathological examination during January 2013- December 2015. Histopathological classification of skin diseases based on the site, pattern and cytology of the histological changes seen in the biopsy was used. According to which we divided skin diseases in VIII groups. Results: Out of 175 patients highest no of patients (n=39) were observed in 21 to 30 yrs with majority being females (50.28% n=88). Maximum no of cases belonged to group V disorders (n=75; 42.86%) i.e. perivascular, diffuse and granulomatous infiltrates of reticular dermis followed by, Group VI disorders (n=30; 17.14%) i.e. tumors and cysts of dermis and subcutis. In the group V leprosy was the most prevalent skin disease (n=57). Pemphigus vulgaris (2.86%) was the most common vesiculobullous lesion. Conclusions: Leprosy is the most common (42.86%) skin problem seen in the present population. This emphasizes the need for the rigorous measures to be implemented for prevention, diagnosis and treatment of leprosy in the present region.

Keywords: Leprosy; Skin Biopsy; Skin Tumor; Vesiculobullous.