Pseudoxanthoma elasticum
LEGEND
Hereditary disorder of elastic fibers with autosomal recessive inheritance
Elastic fibers become fragmented, granular, and cluster into bundles within the reticular dermis
These bundles of degenerated elastic fibers appear more basophilic on histology and subsequently become calcified.
The superficial third of the dermis is spared; grouped and calcified elastic fibers are found only in the deeper two-thirds of the dermis.
Pseudoxanthoma elasticum
LEGEND
Elastic fibers become fragmented, granular, and grouped into bundles in the reticular dermis.
Bundles of degenerated elastic fibers are increasingly basophilic on histological examination and become calcified.
The upper third of the dermis is spared, while calcified elastic fiber bundles are found in the deep two-thirds only.
Pseudoxanthoma elasticum
LEGEND
The superficial third of the dermis is spared, and grouped, calcified elastic fibers are present in the deeper two-thirds of the dermis.
Pseudoxanthoma elasticum
LEGEND
In uncertain cases, Verhoeff–Van Gieson stain may be useful to confirm involvement of elastic fibers (stains elastin black-brown).
Von Kossa stain may also be performed to highlight calcified elastic fibers histologically (stains calcium black).
Elastic fibers become fragmented, granular, and group into bundles within the reticular dermis.
These degenerating elastic fiber bundles appear more basophilic and undergo calcification.
