Contents

SynopsisCodesLook ForDiagnostic PearlsDifferential Diagnosis & PitfallsBest TestsManagement PearlsTherapyReferences

View all Images (6)

Cold panniculitis
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Cold panniculitis

Contributors: Craig N. Burkhart MD, Dean Morrell MD, Lowell A. Goldsmith MD, MPH
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Synopsis

Cold panniculitis is the crystallization of subcutaneous fat with subsequent inflammation in response to cold injury. The typical scenario is an infant or young child who has had prolonged cold exposure to the cheeks or limbs from low ambient temperatures, local therapeutic application of cold (eg, during cardiac surgery), or other cold exposure (eg, from a Popsicle).

Codes

ICD10CM:
M79.3 – Panniculitis, unspecified

SNOMEDCT:
397768002 – Cold panniculitis

Look For

Subscription Required

Diagnostic Pearls

Subscription Required

Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls

  • Infectious cellulitis or panniculitis may appear very similar to cold panniculitis. However, infants with infections are often febrile and appear ill.
  • Identical appearing nodules may form 1-2 weeks after abrupt cessation of systemic steroids; however, they usually affect more extensive areas of the body (face, trunk, and extremities).
  • In newborns, especially those with unusually large plaques (ie, those greater than 3 cm) or affected by perinatal complications (asphyxia, hypothermia, seizures, preeclampsia, or meconium aspiration), subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn should be highly considered.
  • Traumatic panniculitis (blunt trauma or injection) should be distinguished by history.
  • Sclerema neonatorum is characterized by diffuse bound-down hardening of the skin that is cold rather than warm on palpation.
  • Metastatic neuroblastomas are firm bluish nodules rather than ill-defined and erythematous.

Best Tests

Subscription Required

Management Pearls

Subscription Required

Therapy

Subscription Required

References

Subscription Required

Last Updated:02/06/2022
Copyright © 2023 VisualDx®. All rights reserved.
Cold panniculitis
A medical illustration showing key findings of Cold panniculitis : Cheek, Cold exposure, Erythema, Blanching patch, Hardened skin
Clinical image of Cold panniculitis - imageId=1634015. Click to open in gallery.  caption: 'Bright red patches on the medial cheeks.'
Bright red patches on the medial cheeks.
Copyright © 2023 VisualDx®. All rights reserved.