Multiple dermatofibromas in a patient with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome: a case report

Dermatofibromas, also known as benign fibrous histiocytomas, are among the most common cutaneous soft-tissue lesions. Association of multiple dermatofibromas with some diseases was described and it has not been reported with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome before. We present a case with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and multiple dermatofibromas.

An 18-year-old Iranian woman presented with multiple purple nodules ranging from 0.5 to 1.5 cm in diameter, which were mobile and located on the proximal part of the lower limb. The dimple sign of these lesions was positive. During the physical examination, several features suggestive of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome were observed, including hyperextensibility and fragility of the skin, wide atrophic scars on the upper limb, hypermobility of joints and fingers, swan neck deformities of the digits, nodules on the knee, and striae alba on the leg. The patient was previously unaware of having Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. She had a history of asthma and atopic dermatitis. Family history was negative. A biopsy of the nodular lesions was performed, and the findings confirmed the diagnosis of dermatofibromas.

We describe a patient with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome who presented with multiple dermatofibromas. To our knowledge, this combination of findings is a previously unreported occurrence.