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Panniculitis in Adult
See also in: Cellulitis DDx
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Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Panniculitis in Adult

See also in: Cellulitis DDx
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Contributors: Tara Mahar MD, Art Papier MD
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

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Synopsis

Panniculitis : Painful skin lesions, Smooth plaque, Tender skin lesion, Subcutaneous nodules
Panniculitis is a collective term for a group of inflammatory diseases involving subcutaneous fat. The panniculitides are subdivided histologically based on the location of the predominant amount of inflammation: in the intralobular septa or within the fat lobule itself. A mixture of patterns may also be seen (septal and lobular). Most share a common presentation of tender dermal or subcutaneous nodules, papules, or plaques. They all may be mistaken for cellulitis.

Erythema nodosum (EN) is by far the most common type of panniculitis and one of few mainly involving the septa (septal panniculitis). Other rarer types of panniculitis are generally classified as more lobular in nature and include infectious (necrotizing granulomatous) panniculitis, a panniculitis associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus profundus), Weber-Christian disease, nodular vasculitis (erythema induratum), pancreatic panniculitis, cytophagic histiocytic panniculitis, and α1-antitrypsin deficiency panniculitis. There are also physical forms of panniculitis (cold panniculitis, factitial panniculitis). Furthermore, other diseases may be associated with a secondary panniculitis (necrobiosis lipoidica, polyarteritis nodosa, and some vasculitides).

EN is an inflammatory reaction pattern, sometimes precipitated by identifiable endogenous or exogenous stimuli. Streptococcal infections are the most common etiologic factor in children, while sarcoidosis, inflammatory bowel disease, and drugs are more commonly implicated in adults. Most cases are idiopathic. The eruption persists for 3–6 weeks and spontaneously regresses without scarring or atrophy. Fever with generalized aching sometimes accompanies the onset of skin lesions. EN can occur at any age, but most cases occur between the ages of 20 and 45. It is more common in women.

Panniculitis can be distinguished from cellulitis because it most often occurs bilaterally and lesions are often multifocal.

Codes

ICD10CM:
M79.3 – Panniculitis, unspecified

SNOMEDCT:
22125009 – Panniculitis

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Diagnostic Pearls

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Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls

Best Tests

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Management Pearls

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Therapy

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Drug Reaction Data

Below is a list of drugs with literature evidence indicating an adverse association with this diagnosis. The list is continually updated through ongoing research and new medication approvals. Click on Citations to sort by number of citations or click on Medication to sort the medications alphabetically.

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References

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Last Updated:10/03/2016
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Panniculitis in Adult
See also in: Cellulitis DDx
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A medical illustration showing key findings of Panniculitis : Painful skin lesions, Smooth plaque, Tender skin lesion, Subcutaneous nodules
Clinical image of Panniculitis - imageId=199728. Click to open in gallery. caption: 'A depressed light brown and violaceous plaque of the lower leg, imparting a champagne-bottle-like appearance to the leg.'
A depressed light brown and violaceous plaque of the lower leg, imparting a champagne-bottle-like appearance to the leg.

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