Imaging of Pancreatitis, Panniculitis, and Polyarthritis Syndrome

Abstract

HomeRadiologyVol. 307, No. 4 PreviousNext Reviews and CommentaryFree AccessImages in RadiologyImaging of Pancreatitis, Panniculitis, and Polyarthritis SyndromeLakhdeep Singh Brar , Yatin ChadhaLakhdeep Singh Brar , Yatin ChadhaAuthor AffiliationsFrom the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, 1151 Richmond St, London, ON, Canada N6A 3K7 (L.S.B.); and Department of Medical Imaging, North York General Hospital, Toronto, Canada (Y.C.).Address correspondence to L.S.B. (email: [email protected]).Lakhdeep Singh Brar Yatin ChadhaPublished Online:May 2 2023https://doi.org/10.1148/radiol.222426MoreSectionsPDF ToolsImage ViewerAdd to favoritesCiteTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked In A 64-year-old man initially presented with pancreatitis that required hospitalization. Several months later, he developed knee pain and a fluctuant soft tissue mass at the lateral aspect of the left knee. Rheumatologic and metabolic workups (serum calcium and phosphate, and parathyroid hormone) were negative. Radiography performed 10 months after the initial onset of pancreatitis (Figure, A) showed bilateral symmetric osteopenia involving the knees with a permeative appearance of the bones. Subsequent bilateral knee MRI scans (Figure, B and C) demonstrated bilateral multifocal osteonecrosis with rim enhancement in the soft tissues of the left knee, supporting panniculitis. Subsequent imaging showed improvement of all imaging findings. The patient was referred to orthopedic oncology at a tertiary care center as a precaution. The diagnosis of pancreatitis, panniculitis, and polyarthritis (PPP) syndrome was made based on the clinical and imaging findings.Images in a 64-year-old man presenting with knee pain 10 months after hospitalization for pancreatitis. (A) Anteroposterior radiograph of both knees shows a permeative appearance of the bones (arrows). (B) Coronal T1-weighted knee MRI scan shows osteonecrosis. (C) Coronal T1-weighted postgadolinium MRI scan shows bilateral multifocal osteonecrosis (arrowheads) and panniculitis (rim enhancing) in the lateral soft tissues of the left knee (arrow).Download as PowerPointOpen in Image Viewer PPP syndrome is rare and occurs in the setting of pancreatitis or an underlying pancreatic mass (1). Patients may report mild or absent abdominal symptoms, making it difficult to diagnose. It has been reported to occur in all age groups, with a mean age ± SD of 51 years ± 16, and has a higher prevalence rate in men than in women (2:1 ratio) (2). While any joint may be involved, it most commonly affects the knees, ankles, and wrists (2). The pathophysiology is thought to result from the release of pancreatic lipase into the circulation, causing lipolysis and inflammation (2). The clinical symptoms and imaging findings can be transient or persist over time (3). Treatment involves addressing the underlying pancreatitis (3).Disclosures of conflicts of interest: L.S.B. No relevant relationships. Y.C. No relevant relationships.