PANNICULITIS

Introduction:

Panniculitis is a group of diseases whose hallmark is inflammation of subcutaneous adipose tissue (the fatty layer under the skin – panniculus adiposus). Symptoms include tender skin nodules, and systemic signs such as weight loss and fatigue.

Restated, an inflammatory disorder primarily localized in the subcutaneous fat is termed a "panniculitis", a group of disorders that may be challenging both for the clinician and the dermatopathologist. The general term for inflammation of any adipose tissue is steatitis.

Signs and Symptoms:

Panniculitis can also be classified based on the presence or absence of systemic symptoms. Panniculitis without systemic disease can be a result of trauma or cold. Panniculitis with systemic disease can be caused by:

• Connective tissue disorders such as lupus erythematosus or scleroderma;

• Lymphoproliferative disease such as lymphoma or histiocytosis;

• Pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer;

• Sarcoidosis with cutaneous involvement (seen in up to 20 percent);

• Alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency

• Crohn's disease
  

Treatment:

Usual treatments for panniculitis include:

• Treating the underlying causes, such as taking antibiotics for infections

• Anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin, naproxen, or ibuprofen

• Compression stockings, which have been shown to help relieve panniculitis symptoms in the legs

• Bed rest to help the body recover

• Corticosteroids

• Surgery to remove the bumps, though this is generally not necessary

Prognosis:

The most common form of panniculitis, erythema nodosum, generally resolves without treatment within 2 to 6 weeks. The recovery time depends on the cause of the panniculitis.

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Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panniculitis

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