Elastofibroma of the deltoid. A case report

A unique case of an elastofibroma arising in the region of the deltoid muscle in a 53‐year‐old athletic male physician is reported. The lesion was characterized by abundant benign fibrous tissue and sparse accumulations of elastic fibers. The staining of the elastic fibers was accomplished by the use of special staining techniques and are compared to those of other elastofibromas. A review of the literature showed that 56 cases of elastofibroma have been reported to date. Only 2 of these were in an extrascapular site; in 6 patients the lesions were bilateral. The elastofibroma is a completely benign lesion which never recurs after excision. A discussion of the possible pathogenesis of this lesion based on observations of one of the authors (O.H.J.) and his colleagues is also presented. It is suggested that the elastofibroma is a degenerative pseudotumor resulting from local factors such as increased mechanical stress and/or nutritional derangement consequent to vascular involvement.