Background
Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) is an inherited systemic disease characterized by changes in the elastic tissue of the skin. Pseudoxanthoma elasticum mainly affects the skin, eyes, heart, and gastrointestinal (GI) system.
The cutaneous and ocular findings of pseudoxanthoma elasticum are referred to as Grönblad-Strandberg syndrome. The cutaneous changes in pseudoxanthoma elasticum are distributed in the intertriginous areas of the body, such as the flexural regions of the extremities, in the folds of the skin at the sides of the neck, the cubital and popliteal fossa, the axilla, in the creases of the groin, and periumbilical area. Typical lesions are described as yellow waxy papules associated with loose and thickened skin. Pseudoxanthoma elasticum may be inherited through autosomal-dominant or autosomal-recessive patterns.
Other systemic findings in pseudoxanthoma elasticum include: intracranial aneurysms, claudication, hypertension, cerebrovascular accidents, cerebral ischemia, myocardial infarction, and GI hemorrhage.