Poststeroid panniculitis in an adult

Am J Dermatopathol. 2011 Oct;33(7):e77-80. doi: 10.1097/DAD.0b013e318217a97d.

Abstract

Poststeroid panniculitis is a rare disorder usually reported in children after a sudden decrease or withdrawal of corticosteroid therapy. We report a case in an adult, a finding very rarely reported in English literature. The case report is about a 34-year-old man with multiple erythematous, firm and tender subcutaneous nodules on both thighs and legs after the withdrawal of long-term doses of dexamethasone prescribed before and after surgery for a frontoinsular anaplastic oligodendroglioma. Histopathologic study revealed mainly lobular and also septal panniculitis with fat necrosis and characteristic needle-shaped clefts in radial arrangement within fat cells and multinucleated giant cells. The lesions resolved in about 5 months, after weight loss and application of topical corticosteroids for 1 month, leaving only residual hyperpigmentation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / adverse effects*
  • Adult
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / adverse effects
  • Brain Neoplasms / therapy
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Dexamethasone / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Oligodendroglioma / therapy
  • Panniculitis / chemically induced*
  • Panniculitis / pathology*

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal
  • Dexamethasone