Pseudoxanthoma elasticum-like papillary dermal elastolysis: report of four Japanese cases and an immunohistochemical study of elastin and fibrillin-1

Pseudoxanthoma elasticum-like papillary dermal elastolysis: A mimicker of genetic pseudoxanthoma elasticum

Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE)-like papillary dermal elastolysis (PDE) is an acquired, rare, elastic tissue disorder that presents with multiple asymptomatic, nonfollicular yellowish or normochromic papules, coalescing into symmetrical cobblestone plaques, with a predilection for the neck of postmenopausal women. The condition develops slowly, in months to years, and, although clinically similar to PXE, it is devoid of any systemic implication, being only of esthetic concern. The etiology is unknown, but it is speculated that there is a multifactorial pathogenesis, with the contribution of intrinsic aging, exposure to ultraviolet radiation, abnormal elastogenesis, and genetic factors. The diagnosis is confirmed by histopathology, with special stains specific for elastic fibers revealing loss of elastic plexus in the papillary dermis and the presence of melanophages. Its prevalence is probably underestimated, which reinforces the importance of better clinical and histologic identification to distinguish it from inherited PXE and to avoid extensive systemic investigations and unnecessary medical visits for the patient.

Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum–Like Papillary Dermal Elastolysis: A Single Case Report

Background:

Pseudoxanthoma elasticum–like papillary dermal elastolysis (PXE-PDE), a rare acquired elastolytic disorder, occurs in postmenopausal, elderly women and is characterized by soft, white-yellow papules that localize on the neck and supraclavicular regions and often coalesce into cobblestone plaques. It has no systemic involvement and is histologically distinct from the clinically similar inherited pseudoxanthoma elasticum.

Case Summary:

A 64-year-old Caucasian woman presented with a 2-year history of multiple, asymptomatic soft yellow 1- to 2-mm papules on her neck, which were increasing in number. On histopathology, haemotoxylin and eosin stain showed a normal-appearing papillary dermis; however, Verhoeff–van Gieson elastic stain showed absent elastic fibres in the papillary dermis. Papular elastorrhexis was suggested, but given its clinical picture, PXE-PDE was also considered. There was no resolution after 2 courses of intralesional triamcinolone acetonide (0.1 mL of 5 mg/mL).

Conclusion:

PXE-PDE, which is characterized by complete loss or significant reduction of elastic fibres in the papillary dermis, was consistent with our patient’s presentation and histologic findings. Papular elastorrhexis, a paediatric cutaneous disorder, was initially considered, but clinicopathologic correlation led to a diagnosis of PXE-PDE. Intralesional corticosteroids was tried as a treatment but was ineffective at improving the condition. This report documents the importance of histopathology and clinicopathologic correlation when differentiating the overlapping variants of fibroelastolytic disease.

Role of Steroid Therapy in Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum-like Papillary Dermal Elastolysis

Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum-like Papillary Dermal Elastolysis (PXE-PDE) is a peculiar idiopathic elastolytic disorder that clinically resembles Psudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE). It is histologically characterized by a total or partial loss of elastic fibers in the papillary dermis. It more often affects elderly women and is characterized by asymptomatic and symmetrical yellowish papules localized predominantly on the neck, supraclavicular regions, and flexural areas. After analyzing a series of cases and the recent literature suggesting that glucocorticoids may down-regulate the elastin gene expression and elastin mRNA, in cultured human skin fibroblasts, we think that high dose and prolonged steroid therapy may contribute to the appearance of PXE-PDE lesions.

Late-onset focal dermal elastosis: an uncommon mimicker of pseudoxanthoma elasticum

Late-onset focal dermal elastosis is a rare disorder that presents clinically with the development of small white-to-yellow papules simulating pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) in otherwise healthy adults in the seventh through ninth decades. It is characterized histopathologically by foci of increased normal-appearing elastic tissue in the reticular dermis. The disorder lacks any of the systemic complications of PXE and clinically resembles several other elastic tissue disorders that mimic PXE. We report two cases of late-onset focal dermal elastosis. The first is of a 75-year-old female who presented with symmetrically distributed, 2-5 mm white-to-yellow, discrete and coalescing, non-follicular papules on the posterolateral neck, anterior chest and axillae. The second case involves a 39-year-old female who presented with asymptomatic flesh-colored lesions on the posterior neck, back, antecubital and popliteal fossae, thighs, forearms and wrists. Skin biopsies in each case revealed aggregates of elastic fibers in the reticular dermis without calcification. The differential diagnosis of clinical and histopathologic imitators of PXE is discussed.

Familial acral localized late-onset focal dermal elastosis

Late-onset focal dermal elastosis is a rare disorder of elastic tissue, characterized by a local accumulation of elastic fibers in the mid and deep reticular dermis. This disorder occurs mainly in elderly people and consists of multiple yellow papules that are typically distributed on the sides of the neck and flexural areas, closely resembling pseudoxanthoma elasticum from the clinical point of view. We report 2 sisters who have presented with a 20-year history of multiple yellow papules, mainly located on the dorsum of their hands. They also had few lesions of similar morphology scattered on the anterior aspects of their wrists, thighs, and lower abdomen. Histopathologic study demonstrated a focal increase in thick, interlacing elastic fibers in the mid and deep reticular dermis. The most striking features of our cases were the early age of clinical presentation, the familial involvement, and the predominantly acral distribution of the lesions.

Unusual and recently described cutaneous atrophic disorders

Cutaneous atrophic conditions are typically caused by changes in the dermis or subcutaneous tissue, sometimes consisting of the loss of a single fiber type. Since a significant decrease of subepidermal tissue is necessary for these lesions to be macroscopically atrophic, many conditions may not be appreciated as atrophy in the clinical setting. Clinicians should be familiar with the common or classic disorders causing cutaneous atrophy; however, there are a few new or rarely described atrophic conditions which are more difficult to identify and may not be atrophic clinically. This paper serves to describe the salient clinical and histological features of these new or rare disorders.

Pseudoxanthoma elasticum-like papillary dermal elastolysis: a large case series with clinicopathological correlation

BACKGROUND

Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE)-like papillary dermal elastolysis (PDE) is a rare acquired elastic tissue disorder. To date, less than 20 cases have been reported.

OBJECTIVE

We report a case series of 17 patients presenting with PXE-like PDE and discuss the clinicopathological correlation.

METHODS

Seventeen cases of PXE-like PDE were collected prospectively and evaluated for common demographic, clinical, and histopathological features.

RESULTS

All patients were women with a mean age of 61.8 years. The lateral sides and back of neck were the most common sites of involvement (100%), followed by the supraclavicular region (41.2%) and the axilla (35.3%). Systemic involvement was absent in all cases, and in 7 patients the discovery of PXE-like PDE was an incidental finding. The main histopathologic features included complete loss (82.4%) or marked reduction (17.6%) of elastic fibers in the papillary dermis and the presence of melanophages in the same zone (88.2%).

LIMITATIONS

Our results require validation with a larger series.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings help to differentiate PXE-like PDE from similar elastic tissue disorders based on the selective elastic tissue elimination in the papillary dermis and the presence of melanophages in the same zone as a possible consequence of subclinical junctional photodamage. PXE-like PDE is likely underdiagnosed rather than rare, and dermatologists should be aware of its similarity to inherited PXE to spare unnecessary investigations because of the lack of systemic involvement. Clinicopathologic correlation is critical as hematoxylin-eosin staining is nonspecific and elastic tissue stains are necessary to make the correct diagnosis.

A case of fibroelastolytic papulosis on the neck of a young man

Fibroelastolytic papulosis of the neck (FEPN) encompasses a spectrum of two disorders that were previously reported as pseudoxanthoma elasticum-like papillary dermal elastolysis (PXE-PDE) and white fibrous papulosis of the neck (WFPN). The clinical presentation of FEPN is asymptomatic to mildly pruritic whitish-yellow papules that may coalesce into cobblestone patterned plaques that resemble pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE). The histology is characterized by a decrease or loss of elastic fibers in the papillary dermis and this is sometimes accompanied by a minimal or nodular increase of dermal collagen fibers. We report here on a 28-year-old Korean man with asymptomatic, multiple, skin-colored to slightly yellowish, match-head sized, cobblestone-patterned papules on the neck, and these were histologically consistent with FEPN and the papules showed slightly increased dermal collagen associated with decreased and fragmented elastic fibers, elastin and tropoelastin. The pathogenesis of FEPN in this case might have been related with mild dermal inflammation, followed by fragmentation, elastolysis and increased dermal collagen.

Pseudoxanthoma elasticum papillary dermal elastolysis: a case report

PXE-PDE is a rare clinicopathological entity with few cases reported. It affects more often elderly women and is characterized by asymptomatic bilateral and symmetrical yellowish papules localized predominantly on the neck and supraclavicular regions. It is clinically similar to Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum. The authors report a case of a 64-year-old woman presenting asymptomatic, yellowish, non-follicular papules, affecting the occipital and the posterior region of the neck for 1 year. The patient denied pruritic or inflammatory changes, marked solar exposition or trauma on the affected areas. Routine laboratory studies: thoracic x-ray and ophthalmologic examination were normal. The histopathologic examination of a biopsy of one of the cutaneous lesions showed an absence of elastic fibers in the papillary dermis.The diagnosis of Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum-like Papillary Dermal Elastolysis (PXE-PDE) was made. Of great importance is the differential diagnosis with Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE), but we have also to consider other elastolytic disorders: mid-dermal elastolysis (MDE), linear focal elastosis (LFE) and white fibrous papulosis of the neck (WFPN). Until know, there is no effective treatment for this pathology.

Pseudoxanthoma elasticum-like papillary dermal elastolysis developed in early middle age

Pseudoxanthoma elasticum-like papillary dermal elastolysis is a rare acquired elastolytic disorder characterized by papules that resemble pseudoxanthoma elasticum, and it typically affects elderly women. Histopathological examination shows atrophic epidermis and band-like loss of elastic tissue in the papillary dermis. The pathogenesis is assumed to be related to intrinsic aging because it affects elderly people and shows the loss of elastic tissue. We report a case of pseudoxanthoma elasticum-like papillary dermal elastolysis in early middle age presenting typical clinical and histopathological findings. The patient was a 41-year-old woman who had had her lesions for 10 years. We propose that younger patients, hitherto unknown, can be affected by this disorder and suggest that mechanisms other than intrinsic aging are involved in its pathogenesis.

[Papillary dermal elastolysis similar to pseudoxanthoma elasticum]

Papillary dermal elastolysis similar to pseudoxanthoma elasticum is an elastolytic disorder characterized by cutaneous lesions on the neck and in the supraclavicular region that are clinically similar to pseudoxanthoma elasticum, with no systemic complications. The histological examination shows a loss of elastic fibers in the papillary dermis. We report a case in a 76-year-old woman with typical lesions on the neck.

Pseudoxanthoma elasticum

Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) is a rare multisystem disorder characterised by progressive calcification and fragmentation of elastic fibres. Recent genetic advances have identified the underlying defect to the ABCC6 gene on chromosome 16p13.1. Patients typically develop cutaneous, ocular, and cardiovascular manifestations but there is considerable phenotypic variability. The skin changes are usually apparent in adulthood, and rarely observed in childhood. Since the prognosis of PXE largely depends on the extent of extracutaneous organ involvement early recognition, intervention and lifestyle adjustments are important to reduce morbidity. First-degree family members should be carefully examined for any cutaneous or ophthalmologic features of PXE.

Acquired disorders of elastic tissue: Part II. decreased elastic tissue

Elastic fibers in the extracellular matrix are integral components of dermal connective tissue. The resilience and elasticity required for normal structure and function of the skin are attributable to the network of elastic tissue. Advances in our understanding of elastic tissue physiology provide a foundation for studying the pathogenesis of elastic tissue disorders. Many acquired disorders are nevertheless poorly understood owing to the paucity of reported cases. Several acquired disorders in which loss of dermal elastic tissue produces prominent clinical and histopathologic features have recently been described, including middermal elastolysis, papular elastorrhexis, and pseudoxanthoma-like papillary dermal elastolysis, which must be differentiated from more well-known disorders such as anetoderma, acquired cutis laxa, and acrokeratoelastoidosis. Learning objective At the conclusion of this learning activity, participants should have an understanding of the similarities and differences between acquired disorders of elastic tissue that are characterized by a loss of elastic tissue.

Coexistence of pseudoxanthoma elasticum-like papillary dermal elastolysis and linear focal dermal elastosis

An 89-year-old Japanese woman had pseudoxanthoma elasticum-like papillary dermal elastolysis on the neck and linear focal elastosis on the flexor aspects of the legs and thighs. The lesions of both diseases had similar histologic patterns-loss of elastic fibers in the papillary dermis and accumulation of normal-appearing elastic fibers in the subpapillary or mid dermis. Immunohistochemical analysis showed elastin, and microfibril-associated proteins (fibrillin 1 and 2 and microfibril associated glycoprotein 1 and 4) were absent or decreased in the papillary dermis and present in the accumulated elastic fibers in both lesions. The association of 2 diseases on different areas of the same patient and histologic and immunohistologic similarities between the diseases suggest that, despite the clinical differences, both diseases are closely related.