Histopathologic Findings in Anetoderma

We reviewed the histopathologic findings in 34 biopsy specimens from 15 patients with anetoderma. Focal loss of normal elastic fibers, necessary for the diagnosis of anetoderma, was found in all 15 cases. The persistence of fine, irregular, or twisted elastic fibers is common. A perivascular infiltrate composed of lymphocytes was found in all specimens. Plasma cells were observed in specimens from six patients, and histiocytes with some granuloma formation were found in specimens from six patients. Variations in the intensity of inflammation or in the loss of elastic tissue were not related to the clinical findings, course, or associated diseases. All anetoderma lesions appeared to have an inflammatory pathogenesis.