Bilateral elastofibroma dorsi: A case report

INTRODUCTION: Elastofibroma dorsi(EFD) is slow-growing, benign, soft tissue tumor of unclear pathogenesis, typically located at the subscapular region of elderly people. It may be unilateral or bilateral. As it exhibits benign behavior, it should be surgically removed only in symptomatic patients. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a useful tool for assessment of EFD and can potentially help avoid the need for unnecessary biopsy and surgery. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 62-year-old woman presented with 2 years complaint of back pain, particularly aggravated with shoulder movements and swelling with bilateral elastofibroma dorsi. Both masses were totally excised with bilateral posterolateral subscapular incision. Symptoms were completely controlled and significant discomfort from the surgical procedure was completely resolved with in a few weeks interval from the operation. DISCUSSION: The pathogenesis of the EFD still remains unclear. Elastofibroma dorsi has an unspecific clinical presentation and can be confused with other tumors of the periscapular region Imaging studies are useful for diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Elastofibroma dorsi is benign soft tissue tumor mostly observed in the subscapular regions of elderly female patients. The surgery is indicated in symptomatic cases and must be confined to simple excision of the lesion. (C) 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. on behalf of Surgical Associates Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license.