Gout is a potential cause of panniculitis.
Clinical features of gouty panniculitis:
(1) The patient often has been diagnosed with gout, but not always.
(2) The patient has erythematous skin plaques or nodules which may ulcerate.
(3) Nodules may be on the legs, buttocks or abdomen. Less often they occur elsewhere.
(4) Exclusion of alternative diagnoses.
(5) The serum uric acid concentration is usually elevated.
Histologic features in a biopsy from a nodule:
(1) chronic, granulomatous inflammation of the subcutaneous fat
(2) presence of needle-like crystals consistent with uric acid
The diagnosis is easier if the patient has a history of gout, but more difficult without.
