Elastophagocytosis: a non-specific reaction pattern associated with inflammatory processes in sun-protected skin.

Four cases characterized by primary inflammatory processes localized to sun-shielded skin were observed to have associated phagocytosis of elastic fibers by multinucleate histiocytic giant cells. These findings support the idea that this reaction pattern may occur non-specifically, at least in some instances, in sun-protected areas, as well as in sun-exposed skin as previously reported.