Eruptive xanthoma in the setting of hypertriglyceridemia and pancreatitis

Am J Emerg Med. 2018 Aug;36(8):1524.e5-1524.e7. doi: 10.1016/j.ajem.2018.04.056. Epub 2018 Apr 25.

Abstract

Background: Undifferentiated dermatologic complaints are often encountered in the emergency department. While a patient's exposures, risk factors, and comorbidities may help guide emergency department evaluation, the accurate diagnosis of dermatologic findings is critical to allowing rapid identification and treatment of disease.

Case: In this vignette we discuss a case of eruptive xanthoma in a 33-year-old male with diabetic ketoacidosis and pancreatitis.

Discussion: Dermatologic complaints pose a unique challenge to the emergency physician. Many dermatologic findings are benign; however, some may represent underlying serious disease even in young, otherwise healthy appearing patients. Eruptive xanthomas are cutaneous lesions often indicating severe hypertriglyceridemia and uncontrolled diabetes. Likely presentations and risk factors for eruptive xanthomas will be discussed as well as ED evaluation and management.

Keywords: Diabetes mellitus; Hypertriglyceridemia; Pancreatitis; Xanthoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Diabetic Ketoacidosis / complications
  • Humans
  • Hypertriglyceridemia / blood
  • Hypertriglyceridemia / complications*
  • Male
  • Pancreatitis / complications*
  • Skin Diseases / pathology*
  • Xanthomatosis / pathology*