title: [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.
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Dermatologie, Universität, Regensburg.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hohenleutner
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Wlotzke
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Landthaler
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Stolz
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004547:Elastic Tissue / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005489:Focal Dermal Hypoplasia / Q000473:pathology*; D015726:Giant Cells / Q000473:pathology; D006101:Granuloma, Giant Cell / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology