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Solar elastosis
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Solar elastosis

Contributors: Haya Raef MD, Susan Burgin MD
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Synopsis

Solar elastosis (also known as actinic elastosis) is a common manifestation of chronic sun exposure and is a form of dermatoheliosis, or photoaging. It specifically refers to the histologic observation of massive deposits of amorphous, yellow, elastin-like (elastotic) material in the upper dermis that does not form functional elastic fibers.

Clinically, solar elastosis presents as yellow, thickened, coarsely wrinkled skin in a photodistribution. Depending on the degree and amount of cumulative sun exposure, the findings can start to be observed in the third decade with gradual progression over the years. Individuals with lighter skin phototypes and a significant history of sun exposure are the highest risk group.

There are many clinical variants of solar elastosis, including cutis rhomboidalis nuchae, Favre-Racouchot syndrome, colloid milium, actinic comedonal plaque, actinic granuloma, elastotic nodules of the ear, arcus senilis, striated beaded lines, keratoelastoidosis marginalis, diffuse elastoma, and elastotic bands.

Solar elastosis is often associated with other signs of photodamage (such as lentigines, poikiloderma, and facial telangiectasias), actinic keratoses, and skin cancers.

Codes

ICD10CM:
L57.8 – Other skin changes due to chronic exposure to nonionizing radiation

SNOMEDCT:
43982006 – Solar degeneration

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Last Reviewed:01/17/2021
Last Updated:01/24/2021
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Solar elastosis
A medical illustration showing key findings of Solar elastosis : Dorsum of hand, Face, Forearm, Neck, Thickened skin, Yellow color, Sun-exposed distribution, Skin atrophy
Clinical image of Solar elastosis - imageId=3358850. Click to open in gallery.  caption: 'Yellowish plaques with overlying linear, crisscrossing furrows on the posterior and lateral neck. Note also the actinic comedo (black papule).'
Yellowish plaques with overlying linear, crisscrossing furrows on the posterior and lateral neck. Note also the actinic comedo (black papule).
Copyright © 2024 VisualDx®. All rights reserved.