A Case of Elastofibroma

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Elastofibroma is a rare benign tumor that is characterized histologically by the presence of abnormal elastic fibers within a stroma of fibroadipose tissue. Usually it is slow-growing, solid, ill-defined mass occurring chiefly in elderly woman and arising from the soft tissue around the inferior angle of the scapula. METHODS: We experienced a representative case of elastofibroma. A 73-year-old women complained of a soft-tissue mass, which measured 6x6cm, at the inferior angle of the left scapula, which had been found incidentally 4 months before. When the arm was elevated, the mass projected out beneath the scapula. The entire mass was resected with a tumor-free margin. RESULTS: The resected tumor appeared to be nonencapsulated, fibrous and white mass, and it contained yellow fatty streaks. We confirmed that the histopathologic diagnosis of this tumor was elastofibroma. Follow- up examination revealed no evidence of local recurrence for 10 months. CONCLUSION: This entity is rarely reported in Korea. However, more patients could be diagnosed if physicians pay more careful attention to clinical and radiological features of elastofibroma. Moreover, recognizing the benign nature of this lesion is important to avoid an unnecessary operation.