Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) can cause a wide range of skin infections, however MRSA panniculitis without bacteremia is a rare manifestation. Here, we report a woman in her 20s with relapsed Hodgkin lymphoma undergoing stem cell mobilisation who presented with bilateral subcutaneous nodules over her shins. Ultrasound scan of one nodule showed non-specific inflammatory changes. Punch biopsy of a nodule showed lobular panniculitis with Gram-positive cocci. Blood cultures were negative but a culture from the biopsy grew MRSA. She was started on doxycycline with improvement in her symptoms. This case serves as a reminder to consider infections as a cause of panniculitis in immunocompromised patients.
Keywords: dermatology; haematology (incl blood transfusion); pathology.
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