Aortic rupture in a patient with elastosis perforans serpiginosa (Lutz-Miescher)

A case of aortic rupture in a 30-year-old women with a rare skin disease, elastosis perforans serpiginosa, is presented. Skin lesions are characterized by marked elastic tissue changes. Multiple large arteries and the distal part of the aorta were thinwalled also with aneurysm-like dilatations. Focal fibroelastosis and degenerative changes were present in the vessel walls. The changes in the aorta made the surgical treatment difficult.