title: Neutrophilic panniculitis: algorithmic approach to a heterogeneous group of disorders.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Neutrophilic panniculitis encompasses an etiologically and morphologically heterogeneous group of disorders. Correct histopathologic diagnosis is important in identifying certain systemic diseases and guiding appropriate treatment.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To review the clinical and histopathologic features of different types of neutrophilic panniculitis, and to provide a diagnostic algorithm for these disorders.
  
  
  METHODS
  A review of the literature with emphasis on the distinguishing features of different entities was performed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Evaluation for neutrophilic panniculitis entails paying close attention to the pattern of inflammation, the type of fat necrosis present, any evidence of vascular damage, and other relevant histopathologic features. An algorithmic approach integrating all histopathologic, clinical, and laboratory findings is required for correct diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
authors.forename: May P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Chan
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000098:blood supply / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000503:physiopathology; D003663:Decision Trees; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004891:Erythema Induratum / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004893:Erythema Nodosum / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005218:Fat Necrosis / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000209:etiology; D015434:Panniculitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D050151:Subcutaneous Fat / Q000098:blood supply / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D016463:Sweet Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000209:etiology; D019896:alpha 1-Antitrypsin Deficiency / Q000503:physiopathology