Cutaneous Elastic Tissue Anomalies

Abstract

After a review of the physiology in the formation and degradation of cutaneous elastic tissue, we describe the clinicopathologic disorders characterized by increased and decreased cutaneous elastic tissue. Cutaneous disorders characterized by increased and/or abnormal elastic tissue in the dermis include elastoma, also named nevus elasticus, dermatosis lenticularis disseminata, pseudoxanthoma elasticum, late-onset focal dermal elastosis, linear focal elastosis, elastoderma, elastofibroma dorsi, and elastosis perforans serpiginosa. In some of these conditions, the specific histopathologic diagnosis may be rendered with hematoxylin-eosin stain, whereas in other ones special elastic tissue stains are necessary to demonstrate the anomalies. Cutaneous disorders characterized by decreased dermal elastic tissue include nevus anelasticus, papular elastorrhexis, perifollicular elastolysis, anetoderma cutis laxa, postinflammatory elastolysis and cutis laxa, white fibrous papulosis of the neck, pseudoxanthoma elasticum–like papillary dermal elastolysis, and mid dermal elastolysis. In most of these conditions, the histopathologic anomalies are only seen with elastic tissue stains, and cutaneous biopsies of these processes stained with hematoxylin-eosin show appearance of normal skin. The diagnosis of some of these disorders characterized by increased or decreased elastic dermal tissue should be followed by general exploration of the patient to rule out associated severe systemic anomalies, and in some cases, a genetic counseling should be offered to the family.

Anetoderma Schweninger-Buzzi: Two Case Reports

“…Differential diagnoses include morphea, cutis laxa, pseudoxanthoma elasticum-like papillary elastolysis, lichen sclerosus et atrophicus, lepromatous leprosy, and chalazodermic amyloidosis [1], [19], [20].…”

“…To the first group belong disorders such as nevus elasticus, pseudoxanthoma elasticum, or elastosis perforans serpinginosa. Papular elastorrhexis, mid dermal elastolysis and anetoderma fall under the second group [1].…”

Osirisynes G-I, New Long-Chain Highly Oxygenated Polyacetylenes from the Mayotte Marine Sponge Haliclona sp.

“…Elastase is a proteinase enzyme capable of degrading elastin, the main component of the elastic fibers responsible for the mechanical properties of connective tissue [39,40]. In the skin, the elastic fibers, together with the collagenous fibers, form a network under the epidermis and are responsible for skin elasticity.…”

A case of elastosis perforans serpiginosa associated with long‐term treatment with penicillamine

“…EPS is often diagnosed in patients less than 30 years of age and is more prevalent in males 2 . It commonly presents as asymptomatic or a mildly pruritic 3 group of skin colored to erythematous papules or plaques with slightly atrophic centers 4 . Lesions are often arranged in an annular or arciform pattern 3 .…”