Lipoatrophic panniculitis of the ankles in childhood: differential diagnosis with subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma

Am J Dermatopathol. 2012 May;34(3):295-300. doi: 10.1097/DAD.0b013e31822e68ca.

Abstract

We describe the clinical, histopathologic, immunohistochemical, and molecular findings in an additional case of lipoatrophic panniculitis selectively involving the ankles in a 12-year-old boy. This idiopathic, rarely reported entity is presumed to have an autoimmune pathogenesis. Histological findings are a lipophagic lobular panniculits, that in our case featured focally increased numbers of lymphocytes rimming the adipocytes, and infiltration of vascular walls by mildly atypical lymphoid cells, raising the differential diagnosis of subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adipocytes / pathology
  • Ankle
  • Atrophy
  • Child
  • Connective Tissue Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Lymphoma, T-Cell / diagnosis*
  • Male
  • Panniculitis / diagnosis*
  • Panniculitis / drug therapy
  • Skin Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Subcutaneous Fat / pathology*