Die Kältepannikulitis bei Reiterinnen

Abstract

On the basis of own findings and with regard to the current literature the rare diagnosis of equestrian cold panniculitis will be reviewed. On physical examination, erythematous papules and plaques develop at both thighs during the cold season. Histology demonstrates a lobular panniculitis with a mixed inflammatory cell infiltrate, most prominent at the dermal-subcutaneous junction. Cryoproteins are not detected. While the cold panniculitis of the newborn can be explained by the special composition of the fat tissue, the pathogenesis of this panniculitis in adults remains unclear. However, cold exposure and the lack of thermal underwear cannot sufficiently explain the appearance of this panniculitis in people with equestrian activities. We hypothesize that a special disturbance in the composition of fatty acids may play a pivotal pathogenetic role, similar to a possible mechanism in the development of cold panniculitis of the newborn.