What is pseudoxanthoma elasticum?
Pseudoxanthoma elasticum is a progressive disorder that affects connective tissue, the material that supports and holds together different structures of the body. This condition is characterized by accumulated deposits of calcium (calcification) and other minerals in elastic fibers, a component of connective tissue. Calcification can affect elastic fibers in the skin, eyes, and blood vessels, and less frequently in other areas such as the digestive tract. As a result, people with pseudoxanthoma elasticum may have yellowish bumps (papules) on their necks, underarms, and elsewhere on the skin. They also may have changes in the eye called angioid streaks, which occur in the layer of cells that are sensitive to light (retina). Angioid streaks can lead to bleeding and scarring of the retina, which can cause vision loss. Additional problems may arise if blood vessels stiffen and lose their flexibility due to calcification. People with pseudoxanthoma elasticum are at increased risk for proble
