Skin, Lipodermatosclerosis [LMP30913]

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Image Details
Diagnostic Modality: 
Whole Slide Image
Disease Category: 
Acute and Chronic Inflammation
Diagnosis: 
Lipodermatosclerosis
Species: 
Human
Organ System: 
Skin
Gender: 
Male
Age: 
70 years
Diagnosis Code: 
ICD-10: M79.3
Slide Contributor Information
Shivji, S., Mete, O.

Keywords

panniculitis, lower leg, plaque, chronic panniculitis with lipomembranous change

Clinical History

70 year old male with indurated plaques on lower extremities.

Clinical Discussion

Lipodermatosclerosis (also known as chronic panniculitis with lipomembranous change) is a chronic inflammatory dermatologic condition that classically presents clinically as indurated plaques on the lower legs, typically in elderly patients with a history of venous stasis. Though typically a clinical diagnosis based on the lesion’s morphology and distribution, biopsy can be considered if there is diagnostic uncertainty. The classic histologic finding of this entity is lipomembranous fat necrosis of the subcutis, which can be accompanied by chronic inflammation (including multinucleated giant cells), fibrosis, and atrophy.

Treatment consists of treating the underlying etiology, and typically includes the use of compression stockings to correct stasis, with other potential modalities including venous ablation and anti-coagulants, if clinically indicated.