Could a Growth Spurt Cause Linear Focal Elastosis Like Striae Distensae?

Linear focal elastosis (LFE) is characterized by several asymptomatic, yellow, palpable, irregularly indurated, striae-like lines extending horizontally across the middle and lower back. A focal increase in elastic fibers is a hallmark of the disease as seen from biopsy specimens. The pathogenesis of LFE is unclear, as is the association between LFE and striae distensae (SD). However, the prevailing opinion is that LFE represents an excessive regenerative process of elastic fibers and is analogous to keloidal repair of SD. Although the timing of onset of LFE and SD was not synchronous in our patient, the triggering factor was the same, which was the growth spurt. This case is supporting the putative association between LFE and SD.

Linear Focal Elastosis Following Striae Distensae: Further Evidence of Keloidal Repair Process in the Pathogenesis of Linear Focal Elastosis

Linear focal elastosis (LFE) is a rare dermal elastosis characterized by hypertrophic yellowish linear plaques and increased abnormal elastic tissues in the lumbosacral area. Although the pathogenesis of this disorder remains unknown, it may be associated with keloidal repair process (KRP) of elastic tissues in striae distensae (SD), because there have been some reported cases of LFE accompanied by SD. We herein report a 14-year-old boy with LFE following SD in the lumbar region. Our case supports the hypothesis of KRP in the pathogenesis of LFE. Immunohistochemical study for transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) was negative. Therefore, we assume that the pathogenesis of KRP in LFE is different from that of keloid development, which is the TGF-beta signaling pathway.

A Case of Linear Focal Elastosis with a Family History

Linear focal elastosis is an uncommon disorder typically occurring in the back region, which clinically presents as band-like striae, having a histological focal increase in abnormal elastic fibers. Until now, linear focal elastosis occurring in patients with a family history have been rarely reported. Here, we present one such case, of linear focal elastosis which occurred in a brother and sister.

A Case of Linear Focal Elastosis on the Lower Extremities / 대한피부과학회지

Linear focal elastosis is an uncommon disorder which clinically manifests as band-like striae, and typically occur on the back. Histologically and ultrastructurally, there is a focal increase of elastic fibers. We report an unusual case of linear focal elastosis occurring exclusively on the legs of a 22-year-old man with psoriasis.

A Case of Linear Focal Elastosis on Both Lateral Thighs / 대한피부과학회지

Linear focal elastosis is an asymptomatic, but palpable condition with several and striae-like lines extending horizontally, usually across the middle and lower back. Histologically, it is characterized by a focal increase in frag-mented or aggregated elastic fibers. A few cases of linear focal elastosis have occasionally been noted on unusual sites such as the legs, shoulders or face, and the unusual location makes it difficult for accurate diagnosis. Herein, we report a case of linear focal elastosis which developed on both thighs of a 13-year-old girl.

A Case of Linear Focal Elastosis on Both Lateral Thighs / 대한피부과학회지

Linear focal elastosis is an asymptomatic, but palpable condition with several and striae-like lines extending horizontally, usually across the middle and lower back. Histologically, it is characterized by a focal increase in frag-mented or aggregated elastic fibers. A few cases of linear focal elastosis have occasionally been noted on unusual sites such as the legs, shoulders or face, and the unusual location makes it difficult for accurate diagnosis. Herein, we report a case of linear focal elastosis which developed on both thighs of a 13-year-old girl.

Linear Focal Elastosis / 대한피부과학회지

Linear focal elastosis is characterized clinically by horizontal yellowish palpable striae on the lower back and histologically fragmentation or aggregation of elastic fibers. We herein report four cases of linear focal elastosis in male patients. They were 12 to 17 years old and the disease duration was 1 to 3 years. We suggest linear focal elastosis is a variant of striae distensae affecting elastic fibers.

Linear Focal Elastosis Associated with Striae Distensae in an Atopic Patient / 대한피부과학회지

We report a case of linear focal elastosis associated with striae distensae. A 20-year-old man presented with asymptomatic, several, striae-like yellow palpable bands extending horizontally in the lumbar region. Histologic examination revealed many fine wavy and fragmented bundles of elastic fibers in the dermis. Striae distensae were also presented in the buttock, axilla. He had been treated with topical steroids for atopic dermatitis since childhood. This patient can be one more case to support the association between linear focal elastosis and striae distensae.

Three Cases of Iinear Focal Elastosis / 대한피부과학회지

Linear focal elastosis is a new disease that clinically shows asymptomatic, palpable, striae-like lines extending horizontally across the middle and lower back and histologically a focal increase in elastic fibers separating the dermal collagen bundles. We report typical cases of linear focal elastosis clinically and histologically in three teenaged males.

Linear Focal Elastosis Associated with Striae Distensae / 대한피부과학회지

We report herein a case of linear focal elastosis associated with striae distensae. A 17-year-old man presented with striae-like palpable bands on his lower back. Histologic examination revealed many fine wavy and fragmented bundles of elastic fibers in the dermis. He also had typical striae distensae on the knee area. This patient can be one more case to the theory that linear focal elastosis might be the keloidal repair of striae distensae.

A Case of Linear Focal Elastosis / 대한피부과학회지

Linear focal elastosis was first described by Burket et al. in 1989 in three elderly men with palpable striae-like yellow bands on their backs. Microscopic examination revealed many fine wavy bundles of elastic fibers separating the collagen in the mid to reticular dermis. The patients' ages range a from 17 to 87 years but this disease seems to be more common in younger age; men are more commonly affected. The cause of this disease has been suggested to be hereditary predisposition, unusual form of striae distensae or keloidal repair of striae distensae. We report linear focal elatosis with typical clinical and pathological features in a 15-year-old boy.

Two Cases of Linear Focal Elastosis

We report two cases of linear focal elastosis. They are a 16-year-old girl and a 14-year-old boy who had had asymptomatic, several, yellow-red, slightly elevated, palpable, striae-like lesions on their middle and lower back since their early childhood. Light microscopic examinations of skin biopsy specimens demonstrated dermal thickening and focal increases of thin wavy fibers in the upper and mid-dermis but no changes in the epidermis. Verhoeff-van Gieson stains for elastic fiber revealed aggregated, clumped, curled, or fragmented elastic fibers.