Cytophagic histiocytic panniculitis improved by combined CHOP and cyclosporin A treatment. (1/24)

In a 31-year-old Japanese man with cytophagic histiocytic panniculitis (CHP) remission was achieved by a combination of combined chemotherapy CHOP and cyclosporin A treatment. He was admitted to our hospital in January 1994 with recurrent high fever of 40.2 degrees C and tender and violaceous subcutaneous nodules on his trunk, arms and legs. He developed pancytopenia, hemorrhagic diathesis, liver dysfunction. Histological examination of the biopsied subcutaneous nodule revealed a lobular panniculitis with fat necrosis and a massive infiltration of histiocytes phagocytosing nuclear debris. He was treated initially with 40 mg/day prednisolone. However, following a reduction in prednisolone dosage, his symptoms reappeared. CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisolone) therapy was then initiated. Three courses of CHOP treatment alleviated his symptoms and cyclosporin A was used to maintain his condition for 15 months. His medication was then discontinued and he has been in complete remission for 10 months. Combined treatment of cyclosporin A and CHOP combined chemotherapy was shown to be effective for this patient with severe CHP.  (+info)

Successful treatment of a patient with febrile, lobular panniculitis (Weber-Christian disease) with oral cyclosporin A: implications for pathogenesis and therapy. (2/24)

We report a 15-year-old Japanese girl with severe systemic Weber-Christian disease (WCD) who presented with acute onset of high fever associated with tender subcutaneous nodules. Laboratory tests showed an elevated serum concentration of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), leukopenia, and coagulation abnormalities. The anti-nuclear and anti-DNA antibodies were negative, and the serum pancreatic enzymes and alpha 1-antitrypsin levels were normal. Pulse steroid therapy was not effective, and eventually cerebellar hemorrhage occurred. After initiation of oral cyclosporin A (CyA) therapy, fever came down and her clinical condition improved markedly. Extremely high serum concentrations of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) in this patient returned to normal with CyA therapy. These findings suggest that T-cell immune responses are involved in the pathogenesis of WCD, and that CyA is effective against the disease via suppression of T-cell reactions.  (+info)

Weber-Christian disease presenting with proptosis: a case report. (3/24)

Weber-Christian disease (WCD) is a rare inflammatory disease of adipose tissue, which is characterized by painful cutaneous nodules and constitutional symptoms. Although any area of the body containing fat can be affected by WCD, the involvement of retrobulbar fat is uncommon and proptosis is a rare presenting manifestation. We report a case who presented with proptosis of the right eye which is accompanied by painful subcutaneous nodules, high fever and myalgia. Biopsies of retrobulbar tissue and suprapubic nodule showed lobular panniculitis with mixed cellular infiltration, mainly composed of histiocytes and lymphocytes. He responded well to high-dose glucocorticoid.  (+info)

Clinicopathologic evaluation of nodular cutaneous lesions of Behcet syndrome. (4/24)

Among the cutaneous manifestations, nodular lesions are rather common in Behcet syndrome. The histologic nature of these lesions has been a matter of controversy. To establish their distinguishing features, biopsy specimens from nodular lesions of 24 patients with Behcet syndrome, 25 with nodular vasculitis (NV), and 20 with erythema nodosum (EN) were compared. Statistical analysis revealed insignificant differences between most of the histologic features of Behced syndrome and NV. However, neutrophil-predominating infiltrate in the subcutis was more common in Behcet syndrome, while necrosis and granuloma formation were encountered more frequently in NV. The differences between Behced syndrome and EN were more significant. Septal panniculitis, lymphocyte-predominating infiltrate, absence of many vascular changes as well as vasculitis, and necrosis were features in favor of EN. Nodular lesions of Behcet syndrome are mainly neutrophilic vascular reactions with histologic features similar to NV but significantly differing from EN associated with other systemic diseases.  (+info)

SYSTEMIC WEBER-CHRISTIAN DISEASE. (5/24)

A patient suffering from Weber-Christian panniculitis was found at necropsy to have similar lesions in the visceral adipose tissue. When the lesions occur internally, diagnosis during life is complicated by the difficulty of examining visceral adipose tissue and the disease may often go unrecognized, but patients suffering from Weber-Christian panniculitis should be investigated bearing in mind the possibility of internal lesions. Only 11 cases confirmed by necropsy appear to have been reported hitherto. The aetiology remains obscure. It is suggested that the name ;systemic Weber-Christian disease' be applied when the lesions occur in adipose tissue other than the panniculus adiposus and that the term ;Weber-Christian panniculitis' be used when the lesions are confined to the subcutaneous adipose tissue.  (+info)

Small vessel vasculitis and relapsing panniculitis in tumour necrosis factor receptor associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS). (6/24)

CASE REPORTS: A 66 year old female patient had relapsing fever and non-suppurative panniculitis suggestive of enigmatic "Weber-Christian disease" (WCD). Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies with specificity for human leucocyte elastase (HLE-ANCA) were detected. A biopsy showed small vessel vasculitis and panniculitis. A 53 year old man had recurrent episodes of abdominal pain, erythematous rash, and myalgia. Fever attacks had stopped a few years ago. A biopsy showed panniculitis and fasciitis. In both patients mutations (R92Q, T50M) of the tumour necrosis factor receptor super family (TNFRSF) 1A gene were disclosed. Mutations of the TNFRSF 1A gene are the cause of tumour necrosis factor receptor associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS). Both patients responded favourably to treatment with the human soluble p75 TNF alpha receptor fusion protein etanercept (2 x 25 mg subcutaneously/week). DISCUSSION: Small vessel vasculitis and panniculitis have not been reported in TRAPS so far. The cases underline the importance of TNF alpha regulation in inflammatory processes including vasculitis. Genetically determined causes of fever may account for some cases of WCD.  (+info)

Pancreatic panniculitis associated with allograft pancreatitis and rejection in a simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplant recipient. (7/24)

Pancreatic panniculitis is an uncommon condition that can occur in association with pancreatic disease. We present a case of pancreatic panniculitis in a female pancreas-kidney transplant recipient 5 months post-transplant. The patient was on standard immunosuppressive medications and had acute rejection of her renal allograft. The diagnosis of allograft pancreatitis and rejection presenting with pancreatic panniculitis was supported clinically, histopathologically and by laboratory and imaging data. This is the fourth case of pancreatic panniculitis occurring in a transplant recipient and the first in a simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplant recipient. It is also the first case associated with allograft rejection. Clinicians should be aware that pancreatic panniculitis may be a manifestation of underlying allograft pancreatic disease.  (+info)

A patient with Pfeifer-Weber-Christian disease--successful therapy with cyclosporin A: case report. (8/24)

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