Panniculitis Diseases

Panniculitis is a collection of diseases whose defining feature is an inflammation of the hypodermis, the lowermost layer of skin, comprised primarily of subcutaneous or adipose tissue---more simply known as body fat. Inflammation of the hypodermis creates sensitive nodules on the skin, sometimes accompanied by an oily solution on the skin and pus-filled lesions. Fever-like symptoms are also a part of panniculitis, including weight loss and fatigue. Panniculitis can appear in a variety of forms.

  1. Vilanova Disease

    • Also known as subacute nodular migratory panniculitis, Vilanova disease affects the septa and the blood vessels in the legs and occurs predominantly in women. Septal panniculitis is an inflammation of the interlobular connective tissue between fat lobules (body fat is made up of lobules, or a small divisions of fat connected to one another by septa, connective tissue that supplies blood to the skin). As with many other forms of panniculitis, the terms defining this particular disease are vague and confusing. Vilanova disease is sometimes confused with other version of panniculitis (such as chronic erythema nodasum). As panniculitis is further studied, additional diseases will probably be defined as separate from Vilanova disease (among other forms of panniculitis as well).

    Weber-Christian Disease

    • Also known as relapsing nodular panniculitis syndrome, Weber-Christian disease is an inflammation of the skin that targets mostly the thighs and lower legs. The inflammation of the hypodermis causes redness of the skin (referred to as erythema) and sensitive nodules on the surface of the epidermis. Due to the ambiguity of the disease, new diseases are always being redefined and distinguished from Weber-Christian. The disease can also be accompanied by nausea, joint pain, vomiting, weight loss and abdominal pains, according to medicinenet.com. There is no cure for Weber-Christian, but it can be treated with anti-inflammatory drugs.

    Erythema Induratum

    • Erythema induratum, also known as Bazin's disease or nodular vasculitis, is panniculitis of the lower legs (particularly the calves), occurring predominantly in adolescent women or menopausal women. It was once thought to be connected with women with tuberculosis but is now known to occur in women without the disease. Erythema induratum includes vasculitis (inflammation of the blood vessels), which in turn causes necrosis (the death of bodily tissue). As with all forms of panniculitis, inflammation and subsequent ulcers leave scars upon healing.