Povidone panniculitis. Polyvinylpyrrolidone panniculitis

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Toxicology
• Pathology

Background:

• Povidone is an inert polymer used in various medical applications.
• Long-term intramuscular injections of procaine povidone can lead to systemic accumulation of povidone.

Observation:

• A 60-year-old woman developed subcutaneous nodules and recurrent flu-like episodes after seven years of procaine povidone injections.
• Skin biopsy revealed gray-blue material within histiocytes, characteristic of povidone deposition.

Findings:

• Histopathological examination confirmed amorphous intracellular deposits consistent with povidone accumulation.
• Ultrastructural studies supported the presence of these deposits in histiocytes.
• The patient experienced fever, a complication not previously reported in association with povidone accumulation.

Implications:

• This case underscores the potential for povidone to accumulate in non-injected tissues, leading to diverse clinical manifestations.
• Fever should be considered as a potential, albeit rare, symptom of povidone-induced complications.
• Highlights the importance of long-term monitoring for patients receiving repeated povidone injections.