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Ultrastructural evaluation of mid‐dermal elastolysis
Author(s) -
Harmon C. B.,
Su W. P. D.,
Gagne E. J.,
Fransway A. F.,
Zelickson B. D.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
journal of cutaneous pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.597
H-Index - 75
eISSN - 1600-0560
pISSN - 0303-6987
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0560.1994.tb00266.x
Subject(s) - ultrastructure , pathology , biopsy , elastic fiber , degeneration (medical) , medicine , anatomy
Mid‐dermal elastolysis is a well‐defined clinical and histopathologic entity manifested by fine wrinkling of the skin and a mid‐dermal loss of elastic fibers. Ulfrastructural and hislologic studies were performed in an attempt to better define the cause of the elastolytic process. Biopsy specimens from the lesions of 3 patients with mid‐dermal elasiolysis were studied at light and electron microscopic levels. Ultrastructural evidence of normal elastic fiber engulfment by activated macrophages was observed; however, some fields also demonstrated envelopment of abnormally degenerated elastic tissue. Although there are many potential causes of this degeneration, photodistribution of the lesions suggests that ultraviolet damage is a primary inciting factor.