Elastofibroma and pre-elastofibroma--a biopsy and autopsy study

Two biopsy cases of elastofibroma--one unilateral and one bilateral--are described. A study of 100 autopsies revealed 13 elderly patients with elastofibroma. Males (n = 10; 16.9%) were more affected than females (n = 3; 7.3%). Pre-elastofibroma-like morphological changes (e.g. few or many degenerated elastic fibres) were observed in 81% of the autopsies. Minor pre-elastofibroma-like changes were seen in males and major changes predominantly in females. In addition to physiological ageing as yet unknown factors, rather than abnormal elastogenesis or degeneration, seem to be involved in this pseudotumour.