Cold panniculitis

Dermatol Clin. 2008 Oct;26(4):485-9, vii. doi: 10.1016/j.det.2008.05.015.

Abstract

Cold panniculitis has been described in children and young women following cold exposure. Histopathologically, cold panniculitis shows a mostly lobular panniculitis, which consists of an infiltrate of lymphocytes and histiocytes in the fat lobules. Usually, the dermis shows a superficial and deep perivascular infiltrate mostly composed of lymphocytes, with no vasculitis. Inflammation is most intense at the dermal-subcutaneous junction. Differential diagnosis of cold panniculitis should be established with subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn, sclerema neonatorum, poststeroid panniculitis, chilblains, and frostbites.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cold Climate / adverse effects
  • Cold Temperature / adverse effects*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Environmental Exposure / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Panniculitis / etiology*
  • Panniculitis / pathology
  • Skin / pathology*