1412 A Rare Case of Post-ERCP Panniculitis

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Pancreatic panniculitis affects 0.3-3% of patients with a wide variety of pancreatic disorders. It is characterized by subcutaneous fat necrosis following the release of pancreatic enzymes into the circulation. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a rare cause of panniculitis. Based on our literature review, this is the fourth case report of post-ERCP panniculitis. CASE DESCRIPTION/METHODS: An 80-year-old female with a history of choledocholithiasis with biliary stent placement presented for elective ERCP. The procedure demonstrated a moderate, inflammatory distal biliary stricture, a migrated biliary stent and choledocholithiasis. A biliary sphincterotomy, cholangioscopy and laser lithotripsy and stent exchange was performed with approximately 80% of stone removal. Post- procedure the patient noted tender erythematous raised nodules on her legs. Skin biopsy was performed with findings consistent with pancreatic pannicultitis. Follow-up ERCP was normal with trace sludge and removal of the biliary stent. At follow-up she was improved without abdominal pain and reported healing of the lower extremity cutaneous lesions. DISCUSSION: Pancreatic panniculitis is a rare skin finding that is independent of disease severity and can occur at any point during the disease process. Post-ERCP panniculitis is rare and only reported in three other cases. Pancreatic panniculitis is typically tender, ill-defined, red-brown nodules located in the lower extremities. The gold standard for diagnosis is biopsy with histopathology significant for a mostly lobular panniculitis without vasculitis with the presence of the typical ghost cells, necrotic and calcified adipocytes. Treatment is aimed at addressing the underlying pancreatic disease and the lesions typically resolve with improvement in pancreatic inflammation.