An unusual presentation of a vascular birthmark: a focal area of congenital lipoatrophy on the buttock.

A 3-year-old girl presented with a focal area of congenital lipoatrophy on the buttock. There was no history of trauma or injections to the site. An excisional biopsy of the lesion was performed. The pathology of the lesion was most consistent with a vascular malformation with capillary predominance. This is an unusual presentation of a capillary malformation that has not been reported in the literature. The normal clinical presentation, natural history, pathologic findings, and imaging findings of capillary malformations are reviewed. These characteristics are compared to other easily confused lesions, such as haemangiomas, including infantile, rapidly-involuting, and non-involuting haemangiomas. Usually, the clinical appearance of congenital vascular lesions confers the ability to correctly distinguish these birthmarks. However, as this case demonstrates, the possibility of a vascular lesion should be considered with any congenital cutaneous lesion regardless of its appearance.

The submental fat compartment of the neck.

The anatomic understanding of the superficial compartments of the head and neck are evolving. Recently, studies have shown that the superficial fat is sequestered into separate "compartments"; however, the superficial anatomy of the submental region of the neck has yet to be defined, and improved understanding of this area may lead to advances in our ability to rejuvenate the neck. This cadaveric investigation revealed that there is one superficial fat compartment in the submental region. The anterior boundary of this compartment, previously without name, has been labeled the "submental septum." The posterior boundary of the submental fat compartment is created by a septum that arises from the platysma at a point superficial to the hyoid. Because this area is over the hyoid, it has been named the "suprahyoid septum." The lateral septal boundaries have been labeled the "digastric septae."

Facial fat compartments: a guide to filler placement.

Advances in anatomic understanding are frequently the basis upon which surgical techniques are advanced and refined. Recent anatomic studies of the superficial tissues of the face have led to an increased understanding of the compartmentalized nature of the subcutaneous fat. This report provides a review of the locations and characteristics of the facial fat compartments and provides examples of how this knowledge can be used clinically, specifically with regard to soft tissue fillers.