Fatal panniculitis

Abstract

The Weber-Christian syndrome (relapsing nodular panniculitis) displays a clinical spectrum varying from short, self-limited, or intermittent disease episodes to persistent disease with fatal outcome. Inflamed adipose tissue is exclusively subcutaneous in some patients and is both subcutaneous and perivisceral in others. Inflammation of fat may induce a focal cutaneous or a systemic extracutaneous histiocytic proliferative response in which hemophagocytosis may be a frequent characteristic. Major causes of death--sepsis, hepatic failure, hemorrhage, and thrombosis--are identical in the patients with and without the systemic histiocytic proliferation. Inflammation in fat, of and by itself, may be associated with significant morbidity and mortality, regardless of specific histopathology or inciting factors.

Staphylococcus cohnii as a cause of multiple brain abscesses in Weber–Christian disease

“…Although central or peripheral neurologic changes are present in one third of these patients, these symptoms have not been specifically emphasized previously [1]. We report the first patient with multiple brain abscesses due to Staphylococcus cohnii.…”

“…Other differential diagnosis like alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency panniculitis, cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa, eosinophilic fasciculitis, scleroderma panniculitis, lupus panniculitis, panniculitis with pancreatic disease and erythema nodosum were also ruled out by the patient's physical examination and laboratory data. Aronson et al described that various signs and symptoms such as nonspecific systemic complaints, thrombocytosis, or abdominal symptoms were followed by the onset of either fever and/or nodules [1]. With regard to central neurologic changes, terminal neurologic manifestation, including seizure and coma, were seen in many patients and resembled Reye's syndrome because of liver dysfunction.…”

Nonsuppurative Nodular Panniculitis of the Breast

“…Thus, in patients with only cutaneous disease the prognosis is good, although prominent visceral involvement might be associated with a poor prognosis and eventually lead to death from panniculitis involving the heart, lungs, liver, pancreas, or kidneys. [21][22][23] The most frequent causes of death that have been reported in such patients are related to sepsis, hepatic failure, hemorrhage, and thrombosis. 16,23 Conclusion Although a rare condition, breast panniculitis should be included in the differential diagnosis of ill-defined subcutaneous breasts lumps.…”

“…[21][22][23] The most frequent causes of death that have been reported in such patients are related to sepsis, hepatic failure, hemorrhage, and thrombosis. 16,23 Conclusion Although a rare condition, breast panniculitis should be included in the differential diagnosis of ill-defined subcutaneous breasts lumps. It should be also remembered that apart from causing local fat necrosis, panniculitis is frequently associated with systemic symptoms and visceral involvement is not uncommon.…”

Crescentic Glomerulonephritisin a Patient with Relapsing Nodular Pannicul itis

“…This latter condition, also known as Weber-Christian disease, may sometimes only involve the skin, but can also lead to perivisceral involvement with systemic illness and death [7]. In patients with fatal panniculitis, although multiorgan involvement is common, it is rare for the kidneys to be affected [8]. Spain and Foley [9] described a 51-year-old alcoholic man who presented with fever and tender subcutaneous nodules who died of uraemia within 10 days of presentation.…”