Elastosis Perforans Serpiginosum Workup

  • Author: Elizabeth A Liotta, MD; Chief Editor: William D James, MD   more...
 
Updated: Jan 17, 2012
 

Histologic Findings

Unusually large numbers of elastic fibers occur in the papillary dermis. Both light and electron microscopy examinations show that the elastic fibers have an abnormal appearance. Elastic fibers are swollen and clumped in the idiopathic and reactive forms of elastosis perforans serpiginosa and have a thorny appearance in penicillamine-induced elastosis perforans serpiginosa (EPS), resembling bramble bushes or barbed wire. Abnormal elastic fibers, along with collagen fibers, inflammatory cells, and other cellular debris, comprise clumps of material that are extruded via an inflammatory granulomatous reaction. Two studies from Japan have reported the presence of a 67-kd receptor for elastin in the epidermis of elastosis perforans serpiginosa lesions. These may assist in the transport of the fibers to the surface.[9, 10]

Acid orcein-Giemsa stain highlights the components of the clumps, and aldehyde fuchsin stain demonstrates elastic fibers as a major constituent of the clumps. Verhoeff-van Gieson stain also may be used to highlight elastic fibers. As these masses impinge upon the epidermal base, an opening is created, and the material passes through it. Elastic fibers turn bright red with hematoxylin and eosin stain (see Media File 4). The clump's arrival at the surface signals the development of epidermal papular umbilication and the eventual disgorgement of its contents to the exterior.

Histologic section of elastosis perforans serpiginHistologic section of elastosis perforans serpiginosa stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Connective tissue fibers and cellular debris are extruded through the epidermis via a spiraling path. Cross-section of a nidus of fibers and debris of eCross-section of a nidus of fibers and debris of elastosis perforans serpiginosa in transit through the epidermis, stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Elastic fibers are red. Connective tissue and debris of elastosis perforanConnective tissue and debris of elastosis perforans serpiginosa emerging through the epidermis toward the surface, and elastic fibers in the nearby papillary dermis. The stain is a variation on acid orcein-Giemsa. Elastic fibers are black.
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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Elizabeth A Liotta, MD  Chief Dermatologist and Sole Proprietor, Integrated Skin Care Centers

Elizabeth A Liotta, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

James W Patterson, MD  Professor of Pathology and Dermatology, Director of Dermatopathology, University of Virginia Medical Center

James W Patterson, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Physicians, American Society of Dermatopathology, Royal Society of Medicine, Society for Investigative Dermatology, and United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Richard P Vinson, MD  Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Dermatology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Paul L Foster School of Medicine; Consulting Staff, Mountain View Dermatology, PA

Richard P Vinson, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, Association of Military Dermatologists, Texas Dermatological Society, and Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Rosalie Elenitsas, MD  Herman Beerman Associate Professor of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine; Director, Penn Cutaneous Pathology Services, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Health System

Rosalie Elenitsas, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology and American Society of Dermatopathology

Disclosure: Lippincott Williams Wilkins Royalty Textbook editor; DLA Piper Consulting fee Consulting

Catherine M Quirk, MD  Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania

Catherine M Quirk, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha and American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

William D James, MD  Paul R Gross Professor of Dermatology, Vice-Chairman, Residency Program Director, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine

William D James, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology and Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: Elsevier Royalty Other

Additional Contributors

The authors and editors of eMedicine gratefully acknowledge the contributions of previous author, Willard Steck, MD, FACP, to the development and writing of this article.

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Elastosis perforans serpiginosa in an arciform pattern on nape of neck.
Advancing serpiginous arrangement of elastosis perforans serpiginosa papules with mild scarring in their wake.
Histologic section of elastosis perforans serpiginosa stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Connective tissue fibers and cellular debris are extruded through the epidermis via a spiraling path.
Cross-section of a nidus of fibers and debris of elastosis perforans serpiginosa in transit through the epidermis, stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Elastic fibers are red.
Connective tissue and debris of elastosis perforans serpiginosa emerging through the epidermis toward the surface, and elastic fibers in the nearby papillary dermis. The stain is a variation on acid orcein-Giemsa. Elastic fibers are black.
 
 
 
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