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Pancreatic Panniculitis — SCE Dermatology MCQ

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HardConnective Tissue & VasculitisPancreatic PanniculitisSCE Dermatology

A patient with pancreatic carcinoma develops tender leg nodules. Biopsy shows lobular fat necrosis with anucleate adipocytes retaining thick outlines and basophilic calcium deposits. What is the diagnosis?

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Correct answer: APancreatic panniculitis

Pancreatic lipase release causes enzymatic fat necrosis and the characteristic ghost adipocytes of pancreatic panniculitis. Arthropathy from periarticular fat necrosis can accompany the skin eruption and may precede recognition of pancreatic disease.

Reference: https://academic.oup.com/bjd/pages/bad-guidelines