Lipoatrophia semicircularis--a traumatic panniculitis: report of seven cases and review of the literature.

Lipoatrophia semicircularis is an apparently rare condition, which presents as semicircular band-like atrophy of the subcutaneous fatty tissue and involving half the circumference of the anterolateral aspects of the thighs. Repeated external microtraumatism seems to be the most plausible explanation in several cases in the literature, though in some patients the underlying traumatic mechanism is difficult to establish. No relation to underlying clinical or biologic abnormalities appears to be. Seven patients with lipoatrophia semicircularis are described. A detailed clinical history revealed precipitating trauma in all cases. A review is made of earlier reports in the literature.