title: Middermal elastolysis in an elderly man with evidence of elastic fiber phagocytosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Middermal elastolysis is a clinically and histologically distinct entity. This idiopathic loss of dermal elastic fibers has mostly been reported in younger adults. To our knowledge, the present case, which has been followed up for 4 years, is the first to occur in an elderly man.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two years after the onset of progressive wrinkling of the upper aspect of the thorax, the patient underwent a biopsy. Histologic examination of the specimens confirmed previous findings of middermal elastolysis. Examination of extracutaneous elastic tissue showed normal findings. Electron microscopy demonstrated elastic fibers embraced by macrophages, which is suggestive of elastic fiber phagocytosis. For the following 4 years, the patient has remained in stable clinical condition.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Middermal elastolysis is probably more common than has been assumed so far. It does not affect nondermal elastic tissue. After progressive loss of dermal elasticity in a circumscribed area, a benign course follows, with a stable condition over several years. Electron microscopic findings indicate that elastic fiber phagocytosis is operative in the disappearance of the middermal elastic tissue.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology I, University of Vienna Medical School, Austria.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ortel
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rappersberger
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Konrad
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy; D003483:Cutis Laxa / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D004547:Elastic Tissue / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010587:Phagocytosis; D010808:Physical Examination; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D015595:Skin Aging / Q000473:pathology*