Pancreatic Panniculitis in Patients with Chronic Pancreatitis: Case Report and Review of Literature

• Main Authors: Eui Joong Kim, Min Su Chu, Ki Chang Sohn, Dong Ho Cho, Ga Hye Na, Haak Cheoul Kim, Eun Young Cho
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Jin Publishing & Printing Co. 2017-01-01
• Series: The Korean Journal of Gastroenterology
• Subjects: Panniculitis; Chronic pancreatitis; Subcutaneous fat necrosis
• Online Access: http://www.kjg.or.kr/journal/view.html?doi=10.4166/kjg.2017.69.1.83

Pancreatic panniculitis is a rare complication characterized by subcutaneous fat necrosis associated with pancreatic disease. It has been postulated that pancreatic panniculitis is caused by the systemic activity of pancreatic enzymes that lead to microcirculatory disturbances. We report a 41-year-old heavy alcoholic woman with pancreatic panniculitis that coexisted with acute and chronic pancreatitis. She was diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis and alcoholic liver cirrhosis 5 years ago. She presented with multiple, tender, erythematous, subcutaneous nodules with heat sensation on both lower legs. Laboratory evaluation revealed an increase in the serum blood amylase and lipase. Histopathologic findings showed fat necrosis with inflammation around the necrotic subcutaneous fat tissue. The lesions subsided gradually with an improvement of acute pancreatitis.