Acral localized acquired cutis laxa

We report the first case of acral localized acquired cutis laxa. The skin laxity was preceded by swelling of the fingers and toes and by the appearance of papular urticaria. Dapsone therapy was effective in controlling the swelling. Examination of skin biopsy specimens showed fragmentation and almost total loss of elastic fibers in the areas of cutis laxa. Electron microscopy showed no abnormalities in elastic structure and function in unaffected skin. In addition, electron microscopic examination of an urticarial lesion showed a neutrophilic dermatosis with polymorphonuclear leukocytes attached to the surface of either normal elastic fibers or fibers showing early degenerative changes. These findings suggest that there is no primary defect in the elastic fibers and that the polymorphonuclear leukocytes play a significant role in the destruction of the elastic fibers and the subsequent development of cutis laxa in this case.