Anetoderma. Clinical findings, associations, and long-term follow-up evaluations

Abstract

In 16 patients with anetoderma, a clinicohistologic entity related to a local dermal defect of elastic tissue, old lesions did not heal, and new lesions often continued to form for many years, despite various forms of treatment. Systemic lupus erythematosus, which occurred in one patient, must be ruled out in patients with anetoderma. Discoid lupus erythematosus occurred later in one patient. Other associated findings, noted in one patient each, included cataract, congenital hip dislocation, congenital fusion of the vertebrae at C2-3, diverticulum of the midesophagus, Addison's disease (before the onset of anetoderma), and mitral valve prolapse. Our results and a review of the literature indicate that patients with anetoderma must be examined for associated eye, bone, heart, pulmonary, digestive tract, and endocrine abnormalities for a better assessment of their skin disorders.