Panniculitis caused by acinous pancreatic carcinoma

Subcutaneous fat necrosis is a form of panniculitis associated with pancreatitis or pancreatic carcinoma. The massive release in the bloodstream of lipolytic enzymes such as lipase, amylase and trypsin causes these lesions. As pancreatic disease is often asymptomatic, extensive investigations are mandatory in the presence of panniculitic lesions to search for an underlying disease.