Facial linear focal elastosis: a case report.
BACKGROUND
Linear focal elastosis is an uncommon disorder that clinically shows band-like stria and a histological focal increase in elastic fibers. The disorder preferentially affects men after the age of 60 years and occurs on the lower back. The pathogenesis of linear focal elastosis is still somewhat of an enigma.


METHODS
A 50-year-old farmer presented with an unusual linear lesion on the left side of his chin. The patient was frequently exposed to sun because of fieldwork for a period of more than 40 years.


RESULTS
Skin biopsy specimen revealed a massive abnormal collagen deposition extending from the subpapillary dermis to the lower dermis with numerous wavy bundles of fibers. Elastin van Gieson stain for elastic fibers showed that abnormal elastic fibers were increased within a massive abnormal collagen deposition. Diagnosis of facial linear focal elastosis was made after clinicopathological correlation.


CONCLUSIONS
Facial involvement of linear focal elastosis has not been reported previously in the literature. It has been suggested that sunlight has a minor role in the development of elastotic change in linear focal elastosis. However, our patient was a farmer and was exposed to sunlight frequently for a period of more than 40 years, suggesting that ultraviolet radiation may play a role in the pathogenesis of linear focal elastosis.
Inaloz
H Serhat
HS
Gaziantep University Medical Faculty, Research and Application Hospital, Gaziantep, Turkey. serhatinaloz@hotmail.com
Kirtak
Necmettin
N
Karakok
Metin
M
Ozgoztasi
Orhan
O
D028041:Centella; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005145:Face; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D013472:Sunlight / Q000009:adverse effects; D013473:Sunscreening Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use
D004338:Drug Combinations; D028321:Plant Preparations; D013473:Sunscreening Agents