Reticular erythema with focal mid-dermal elastophagocytosis (REMDE).
A 57-year-old man presented with a persistent arcuate partly reticular erythema of the upper chest. Histopathological examination revealed an upper and mid-dermal perivascular and interstitial dermatitis with macrophages which had engulfed elastic fibers. Additionally a focal dermal elastolysis was observed. The characteristic clinicopathological constellation has hitherto been reported in only 3 cases, including our case. Presumably, the disease belongs to a spectrum of clinical manifestation of mid-dermal elastolysis. It is suggested to gather future cases under the provisional diagnosis ''reticular erythema with focal mid-dermal elastophagocytosis" (REMDE) to gain more insights into this rare disease.
Hillen
Uwe
U
Department of Dermatology, Allergy and Venereology, University of Essen, Essen, Germany. uwe.hillen@uk-essen.de
D003240:Connective Tissue Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D020405:Dermis / Q000473:pathology*; D004547:Elastic Tissue / Q000473:pathology*; D004890:Erythema / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010587:Phagocytosis