Disseminated fat necrosis with asymptomatic pancreatitis: A case report and review of the literature

A 62-year-old man with multiple nontender skin nodules is presented. Some o f these nodules discharged a purulent looking fluid. At presentation, the p atient did not have any other complaints. No infectious, neoplastic, or imm unologic origin could be found for the nodular rash. Biochemical profile, i maging, and skin biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of disseminated fat necrosi s (DFN) accompanying asymptomatic pancreatitis. The process involved the me senteric, subcutaneous, and intramedullary fat. The skin lesions were surgi cally treated. Mesenteric and intramedullary fat necrosis were watched clos ely. A year later, the patient was readmitted with a diagnosis of pancreati tis. Subcutaneous and intramedullary necrosis were completely resolved at t his time, and only mesenteric fat necrosis prevailed. The clinical syndrome of DFN, its etiology, pathophysiology, treatment, and prognosis are discus sed.