Total pancreatectomy for recurrent medullary fat necrosis
J. E. Morgan, A. H. Robbins, G. Matsumoto and D. Nabseth
A patient had subcutaneous and medullary bone fat necrosis associated with
chronic, recurrent pancreatitis. In the case, recurrent symptoms of
pancreatitis as well as progressive bone destruction were correlated with
an increase in serum lipase levels. Total pancreatectomy was followed by
relief of all symptoms and healing of destroyed bone. Medullary fat
necrosis may be associated with pancreatitis, pancreatic trauma, or cancer
of the pancreas. Pancreatectomy may be useful if conservative treatment
does not lead to healing of severe medullary fat necrosis associated with
recurrent pancreatitis.
