Elastic fibers in scar tissue: scanning and transmission electron microscopic studies

Cutaneous scar tissue (atrophic and hypertrophic) and normal dermis were examined using scanning (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) as well as light microscopy (LM). Although LM revealed only a few Weigert stain-positive elastic fibers in scar tissue, SEM and TEM disclosed the presence of a large number of fine elastic fibers which was not present in normal dermis. Atrophic scar tissue contained more Weigert stain-positive fibers and fewer fine elastic fibers than hypertrophic scar tissue. In addition, finding suggestive of newly synthesized elastic fibers were seen in some hypertrophic scar tissue. These results indicate that there is elastogenesis in scar tissue.