Pancreatic panniculitis in a child

Abstract

Pancreatic panniculitis is an uncommon cause of panniculitis. It is associated with acute or chronic pancreatic disease. 1½ year old boy was referred for erythematous tender nodules involving both legs and associated with abdominal distention, fever, and vomiting. Dermatological examination revealed multiple erythematous tender nodules distributed over front and back of legs. Blood chemistry showed raised serum amylase (430 IU/ l). Ultrasonography showed a pseudopancreatic cyst. Multislice CT scan was suggestive of a pseudopancreatic cyst. A skin biopsy showed typical features of pancreatic panniculitis which included lobular panniculitis with lipocyte degeneration with few Ghost cells.

Keywords

• Ghost cells
• panniculitis
• pseudopancreatic cyst amylase