Subcutaneous nodules in Whipple's disease.
BACKGROUND
Cutaneous findings other than hyperpigmentation are rare in Whipple's disease.


METHODS
We present the case of a 59-year-old man previously diagnosed with Whipple's disease by duodenal biopsy, who developed red-brown, painful, subcutaneous nodules on the buttocks, thighs, arms and legs. Biopsy of these nodules showed a septal panniculitis and foamy macrophages containing PAS-positive, diastase resistant intracytoplasmic material, characteristic of Whipple's disease and similar to that observed in the duodenal biopsy. Ultrastructurally, this material in the histiocytes corresponded to degenerated bacilli.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the fourth documented case of subcutaneous involvement by Whipple's disease. One should consider the possibility of Whipple's disease in any patient who presents with symptoms compatible with that condition who demonstrates septal panniculitis with a large amount of foamy histiocytes.
Tarroch
X
X
Servicio de Anatoía Patológica, Hospital Mútua de Terrassa, Terrassa, Barcelona, Spain. 2415xts@comb.es
Vives
P
P
Salas
A
A
Moré
J
J
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000473:pathology; D001706:Biopsy; D004386:Duodenum / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008264:Macrophages / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008875:Middle Aged; D015434:Panniculitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology*; D008061:Whipple Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*