Acquired localized cutis laxa confined to the face: case report and review of the literature.
BACKGROUND
Cutis laxa is an uncommon entity characterized by laxity of the skin, which hangs in loose folds, producing the appearance of premature aging. It can be subdivided into congenital and acquired. This latter variant is rare and the skin involvement varies from generalized to localized. We report a case of a localized acquired cutis laxa confined to the face, without preceding inflammatory lesions or systemic compromise. Four similar cases have been reported to date. The etiology remains unknown and there is no definitive treatment.


METHODS
A 27-year-old White woman came to our hospital with a wrinkled face, pendulous earlobes and drop eyelids. Changes began 5 years prior, and she appeared much older than her age.


RESULTS
Histological analysis and ultrastructural examination of skin biopsy revealed reduction and fragmentation of elastic fibers, confirming the diagnosis of cutis laxa. No systemic involvement was diagnosed. The patient was submitted to plastic surgery for repair, with satisfactory results to date.


CONCLUSIONS
Acquired localized cutis laxa confined to the face without preceding inflammatory lesions is extremely rare. The etiology remains unknown. Clinical features and histopathologic findings confirm the diagnosis. Surgical repair seems to be the only therapeutic choice, but the results are variable and temporary.
Riveros
Claudia Jimena Perafán
CJ
Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Gavilán
Maria Filomena Bejarano
MF
França
Luis Fernando Sayago
LF
Sotto
Mírian Nacagami
MN
Takahashi
Maria Denise Fonseca
MD
D000328:Adult; D003483:Cutis Laxa / Q000473:pathology*; D004427:Ear Diseases / Q000473:pathology; D004431:Ear, External / Q000473:pathology; D004547:Elastic Tissue / Q000473:pathology; D005141:Eyelid Diseases / Q000473:pathology; D005148:Facial Dermatoses / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans