Fat necrosis. An unusual cause of polyarthritis.
Metastatic fat necrosis is a form of lobular panniculitis which together with synovitis is an unusual complication of pancreatic disease. It can precede an attack of pancreatitis. Pancreatic disease should therefore be remembered as a cause of panniculitis. Serum amylase and abdominal ultrasonography should be considered to exclude pancreatic disease in cases of panniculitis of uncertain etiology. We describe a case of metastatic fat necrosis and discuss the appearance on magnetic resonance imaging.
Watts
R A
RA
Department of Gastroenterology and Radiology, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK.
Kelly
S
S
Hacking
J C
JC
Lomas
D
D
Hazleman
B L
BL
D001168:Arthritis / Q000209:etiology*; D001175:Arthrography; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005218:Fat Necrosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000175:diagnosis