Intraosseous fat necrosis simulating septic arthritis and osteomyelitis in a patient with chronic pancreatitis

Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 1998;118(3):174-5. doi: 10.1007/s004020050342.

Abstract

A woman with a 20-year history of alcohol abuse and chronic pancreatitis developed an osteoarticular involvement of her right ankle in association with subcutaneous nodules. Histopathological examination of the tissue samples obtained during surgical revision of the ankle showed necrotic fat and connective tissue. Microbiological cultures remained negative. The patient was administered long-term antimicrobial treatment without any apparent benefit. Four months later, she died of pancreatic insufficiency and pneumonia. Postmortem examination showed numerous foci of intra-abdominal fat necrosis. Histopathological examination of the bone samples from the right ankle showed fat necrosis with lipophages. Based on these findings, we consider that the osteoarticular involvement in this patient was caused by intraosseous fat necrosis. This case reminds us of the importance of considering the possibility of this condition whenever a patient with chronic pancreatic disease develops sterile osteoarthritis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Ankle Joint
  • Arthritis, Infectious / diagnosis*
  • Bone Diseases / complications
  • Bone Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Fat Necrosis / complications
  • Fat Necrosis / diagnosis*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Osteomyelitis / diagnosis*
  • Pancreatitis, Alcoholic / complications*