[Differential diagnosis of panniculitides]

Area of Science:

• Dermatopathology
• Internal Medicine

Background:

• Panniculitides are diverse subcutaneous tissue diseases with varied etiologies.
• Clinical presentation of subcutaneous nodules is often nonspecific.
• Distinguishing panniculitis from medium-sized vessel vasculitis presents clinical challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize diagnostic criteria for frequent and clinically important panniculitides.
• To highlight the importance of histopathological examination in differential diagnosis.
• To address diagnostic difficulties arising from inadequate biopsy specimens and lack of clinicopathological correlation.

Main Methods:

• Review of diagnostic criteria for various panniculitides.
• Emphasis on histopathological classification (septal vs. lobular).
• Correlation of clinical presentation with microscopic findings.

Main Results:

• Histopathology is crucial for differentiating panniculitides from vasculitides.
• Classification into septal and lobular panniculitis aids diagnosis.
• Clinicopathological correlation improves diagnostic accuracy.

Conclusions:

• Accurate diagnosis of panniculitis relies on integrating clinical, histopathological, and etiological information.
• Histopathology is key to classifying panniculitis and distinguishing it from vasculitis.
• Standardized diagnostic criteria improve patient management.