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Panniculitis

»What is panniculitis?
»Name the various types of panniculitis. How are they classified?
»What is erythema nodosum?
»What is the pathogenesis of erythema nodosum?
»List some of the common underlying conditions associated with erythema nodosum.
»How should a biopsy of erythema nodosum be obtained?
»What are the characteristic microscopic features of erythema nodosum?
»How is erythema nodosum treated?
»What is nodular vasculitis?
»What causes nodular vasculitis?
»Describe the microscopic features of nodular vasculitis.
»What is the differential diagnosis of nodular vasculitis?
»How should nodular vasculitis be treated?
»What are the clinical features of lupus panniculitis?
»Describe the microscopic features of lupus panniculitis.
»What is the significance of diagnosing lupus panniculitis?
»Are sclerema neonatorum and subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn the same thing?
»How similar are the microscopic features of sclerema neonatorum and subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn?
»Why do these disorders occur in neonates and infants?
»What is pancreatic fat necrosis?
»Are there any characteristic histopathologic features of pancreatic fat necrosis?
»What is the role of a-1 antitrypsin deficiency in the development of panniculitis?
»Name some types of trauma that can produce panniculitis.
»Which infectious organisms can produce panniculitis?
»Describe the role of malignancy in producing panniculitis.
»What is lipodystrophy?
»What is lipoatrophy?
»What is lipohypertrophy?
»Discuss the approach to use when attempting to diagnose an “unknown” case of panniculitis.

 
 
 

Describe the microscopic features of nodular vasculitis.

Nodular vasculitis presents as a lobular panniculitis with a mixed infiltrate that may be granulomatous. Vasculitis of a medium-sized artery or vein is present deep in the fat. Caseous necrosis is present in up to 50% of cases. Although necrosis can occur in cases not associated with tuberculosis, it may be more common in lesions that are positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis–complex DNA.

Boonchai W, Suthipinittharm P, Mahaisavariya P: Panniculitis in tuberculosis: a clinicopathologic study of nodular panniculitis associated with tuberculosis, Int J Dermatol 37:361–363, 1998.