Elastoderma of the neck in a teenage boy.

Abstract

Elastoderma is an exceedingly rare condition characterized clinically as an acquired localized laxity of skin and, histologically, as an excessive accumulation of pleomorphic elastic structures within the dermis. We report the case of a 16-year-old white man with a 2-year history of progressive laxity, extensibility, and wrinkling of the skin localized to the anterior aspect of the neck. Histologic examination of specimens from the affected area showed dense aggregates of eosinophilic material present within the dermis. Transmission and scanning electron microscopic examination demonstrated apposition of abnormal elastic structures at the periphery of elastic tissue fibers, with grapelike globular structures. To our knowledge, we report the third case of elastoderma.