A case of cytophagic histiocytic panniculitis: successful treatment of recurrent attacks with steroid pulse therapy and oral cyclosporin A

Clin Rheumatol. 1997 Jun;16(4):417-21. doi: 10.1007/BF02242462.

Abstract

We report a 35-year-old man, who had been diagnosed with Weber-Christian disease, presented with acute onset of high fever, malaise, jaundice and hepatosplenomegaly with subcutaneous nodules. Laboratory tests showed elevated serum ferritin and liver enzymes, especially lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), with pancytopenia and coagulation abnormalities. Peripheral blood and bone marrow examinations showed erythro-, leuko- and thrombo-phagocytic histiocytes and macrophages. The patient developed the same clinical features seven years ago. Based on diagnosis of cytophagic histiocytic panniculitis, the patient was treated with steroid pulse therapy and oral cyclosporin A. The combination therapy caused a marked improvement in the clinical condition.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Betamethasone / therapeutic use
  • Bone Marrow / pathology
  • Cyclosporine / therapeutic use*
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Ferritins / blood
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • Panniculitis, Nodular Nonsuppurative / blood
  • Panniculitis, Nodular Nonsuppurative / drug therapy*
  • Panniculitis, Nodular Nonsuppurative / pathology
  • Recurrence
  • Skin / pathology
  • Steroids / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Steroids
  • Cyclosporine
  • Ferritins
  • Betamethasone