Pancreatic panniculitis associated with acinar cell pancreatic carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
Pancreatic panniculitis is a rare entity, occurring in less than 2% of patients with pancreatic disorders. Skin manifestations may precede the diagnosis of a pancreatic disease by many months. When treatable, correction of the underlying pancreatic disorder may lead to prompt resolution of the panniculitis.


OBJECTIVE
We present the case of a 74-year-old-man with a history of chronic pancreatitis who presented with an acute onset of tender, nonulcerating nodules. The clinical and histologic features of pancreatic panniculitis are discussed, with a brief review of the differential diagnosis and clinical approach to panniculitis.


CONCLUSIONS
Pancreatic panniculitis is a recognizable clinical entity with characteristic histologic features that may resolve with treatment of the underlying pancreatic disorder. The algorithm-based clinical approach to panniculitis presented in this study is a practical tool designed to guide clinicians in ordering investigations and determining the appropriate management for patients presenting with subcutaneous nodules.
Poelman
Susan M
SM
Division of Dermatology, McGill University, Royal Victoria Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada. susan.poelman@mail.mcgill.ca
Nguyen
Khue
K
D000368:Aged; D000465:Algorithms; D018267:Carcinoma, Acinar Cell / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg; D008297:Male; D010182:Pancreatic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015434:Panniculitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology