[Idiopathic lobular panniculitis: clinical and morphological correlations]

Area of Science:

• Dermatopathology
• Histopathology
• Inflammatory diseases

Background:

• Panniculitis is a group of diseases affecting subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT).
• Diagnosis relies on morphological studies, with classification evolving.
• Idiopathic lobular panniculitis (ILP) is a specific form requiring detailed characterization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the morphological features of idiopathic lobular panniculitis (ILP).
• To correlate these features with the disease's clinical course and forms.
• To enhance diagnostic accuracy through histopathological analysis.

Main Methods:

• Histopathological examination of biopsy specimens from 62 ILP patients.
• Light optical morphological analysis of tissue samples.
• Statistical analysis using Statistica Version 10, employing t-tests, Z-tests, and non-parametric tests (Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis).

Main Results:

• Acute ILP characterized by liponecrosis, inflammation, and vasculitis.
• Chronic ILP showed lymphohistiocytic infiltrate, macrophages (lipophages), and granuloma-like structures.
• Morphological findings correlated with the stage (phagocytic stage observed, fibroplastic stage absent) and form of ILP, offering diagnostic value.

Conclusions:

• Pathologists should focus on lesion localization, vasculitis presence, and infiltrate type.
• Skin changes in panniculitis are often minimal or reactive.
• Morphological signs vary with the disease stage and activity, reflecting an undulatory course.