Open Access 01-12-2009 | Case report
Panniculitis in a patient presenting with a pancreatic tumour and polyarthritis: a case report
Published in: Journal of Medical Case Reports | Issue 1/2009
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Introduction
Panniculitis is a rare manifestation of pancreatic disease. Rarer still is the association of panniculitis, pancreatitic disease and polyarthritis. A literature search revealed less than five cases of pancreatic panniculitis associated with pancreatic tumour and polyarthritis.
Case presentation
An 84-year-old Caucasian man presented with epigastric pain, weight loss, polyarthritis and multiple discharging nodules. A computed tomography scan revealed a mass in the head of the pancreas. Histology of the cutaneous lesions confirmed the diagnosis of pancreatic panniculitis.
Conclusion
Pancreatic panniculitis can clinically present in many ways to clinicians across a broad scope of specialties. Knowledge and understanding of the association between panniculitis and polyarthritis with pancreatic disease may aid rapid diagnosis and management.