A 78-year-old woman presented with chronic induration of the skin of both legs.
She had a history of chronic venous insufficiency and had previously been
treated for venous ulceration.
On examination, she had bilateral reddish-brown skin pigmentation and an
inverted champagne bottle appearance.
She was found to have lipodermatosclerosis.
What structure is implicated in the pathophysiology of this condition?
A: dermis
B: hypodermis
C: stratum basale
D: stratum corneum
E: stratum spinosum
Correct answer: B
Explanation
Lipodermatosclerosis or sclerosing panniculitis is an extensive induration of the
skin, often in association with leg ulcers and most commonly related to venous
hypertension; it is a chronic inflammation with fibrous tissue that involves and
replaces the hypodermis and, if extensive, the papillary dermis.