Panniculitis-an unusual cutaneous manifestation of systemic sclerosis.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune systemic disease characterized by small vessel involvement that leads to tissue ischemia and fibroblast stimulation resulting in accumulation of collagen (fibrosis) in the skin and internal organs. Lipomembranous panniculitis is a peculiar type of fat necrosis and has been reported with clinical conditions, commonly with peripheral vascular diseases. We describe a case of a 43-year-old woman with SSc manifestations, who presented with black scaly skin plaques, associated with thickening of the subcutaneous fat tissue, on the lateral surface of her thighs, her calves, gluteal area and lower abdomen. Biopsy revealed lipomembranous panniculitis. Lipomembranous changes have been seen in connective tissue disorders such as lupus profundus, morphea, systemic sclerosis and panniculitis associated with dermatomyositis, but rarely in thighs, calves, gluteal area and lower abdomen.