ELASTODERMA

Elastoderma is an exceedingly rare condition that is characterized cli nically as an acquired localized laxity of skin resembling cutis laxa and histologically as an excessive accumulation of pleomorphic elastic structures within the dermis. We report the case of a 27-year-old whi te man with a 2-year history of lax, extensible, wrinkled skin with ar eas of protrusion and ulceration localized to the anterior aspect and back of the neck. Histologic examination of specimens from the affecte d area revealed increased masses of intertwined thin, elastic fibers w ithout calcification in the papillary and upper reticular dermis. Tran smission and scanning electron microscopy demonstrated irregular depos ition of elastic material at the periphery of elastic tissue fibers, w ith grapelike globular structures. To our knowledge, this is the secon d reported case of elastoderma.