Pancreatic Panniculitis: A Case Report
10.12771/emj.2022.45.1.17
- Author:
Yoon Jin CHOI
1
;
Min Young LEE
;
You Won CHOI
;
Hae Young CHOI
;
Ji Yeon BYUN
Author Information
1. Department of Dermatology, Ewha Womans University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Publication Type:Case Report
- From:The Ewha Medical Journal
2022;45(1):17-19
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Pancreatic panniculitis is a rare skin complication in which subcutaneous fat necrosis occurs in association with pancreatic disorders, most commonly acute or chronic pancreatitis. Erythematous subcutaneous nodules develop on the legs and spontaneously ulcerate or exude an oily substance. A 32-year-old Korean female patient presented with a 2-week-history of tender nodules with erythematous crusts on her left shin. She had a history of alcoholic liver cirrhosis and, 5 weeks earlier, had been diagnosed with acute pancreatitis. The histopathologic findings from a skin biopsy were consistent with lobular panniculitis, without signs of vasculitis, and diffuse fat necrosis. Basophilic calcium deposits were present in the dermis and subcutaneous fat. These findings were suggestive of pancreatic panniculitis. The skin lesion had a chronic course corresponding to repeated exacerbations of the patient’s pancreatitis. Thus, in the differential diagnosis of subcutaneous nodules, clinicians should consider pancreatic panniculitis as a cutaneous manifestation of pancreatic disease.
