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Subcutaneous fat necrosis presenting as a large mass
Zulfiqar Hanif1, Muhammad Ahmad
1Department of Surgery, Hairmyres Hospital, East Kilbride, Glasgow, UK. zulhan@hotmail.com
Summary
Subcutaneous fat necrosis is a rare condition affecting all ages. This case highlights traumatic subcutaneous fat necrosis from massage therapy in an adult, presenting as an unusual large mass.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Pathology
Background:
- Subcutaneous fat necrosis is a rare panniculitis with varied presentations across age groups.
- In adults, it often follows minor trauma and is typically seen in women presenting to breast clinics.
Observation:
- An unusual acute presentation of subcutaneous fat necrosis as a large mass can be diagnostically confusing.
- A history of trauma is a key diagnostic clue for this condition.
Findings:
- This report details a case of traumatic subcutaneous fat necrosis in a 66-year-old woman.
- The inciting event was identified as massage therapy.
Implications:
- Recognizing massage therapy as a potential cause of traumatic subcutaneous fat necrosis is important for accurate diagnosis.
- This case expands the understanding of triggers for subcutaneous fat necrosis in adults.