[Elastolysis of the mid-dermis and annular elastolytic giant cell granuloma: different stages in the clinical spectrum of dermal elastolysis? Case report and review of the literature]

Abstract

In recent years there has been increased interest in diseases showing degeneration of dermal elastic tissue. Mid dermal elastolysis is a rare dermatosis, which is histopathologically characterized by mid dermal loss of elastic tissue. Both papular and patchy forms, as well as inflammatory and non-inflammatory variants, have been described. A 70-year-old woman had annular patches. In their center the clinical and histopathological findings suggested non-inflammatory mid dermal elastolysis whereas the red and slightly elevated margins showed clinical and histopathological features of annular elastolytic giant cell granuloma. Based on our case and a review of the literature, we discuss the differential diagnosis of dermal elastolysis and hypothesize that a number of lesions histologically showing mid dermal elastolysis may represent different inflammatory or non-inflammatory stages of one disease which may overlap or change from one form into another.