Cytophagic Histiocytic Panniculitis with Undetermined Autoimmune Disease: A Rare Case Report

Abstract

Cytophagic histiocytic panniculitis is a rare disease, associated with either nonmalignant conditions or subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma (SPTL), and often also associated with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). We report the case of a 63-year-old woman who developed a multiple tender, indurated, erythmatous lesions over the abdomen, back, trunk and limbs. Histopathologic findings from skin biopsy specimens revealed significant lobular panniculitis with benign histiocytes showing hemophagocytosis. ANA by IF was positive. Though it is very rare, to confirm diagnosis of CHP by histopathology is very important as CHP and SPLT may span a clinicopathologic spectrum in which there is a natural disease progression from CHP to fatal SPTL.