Lupus panniculitis appears as lesions on the face caused by abnormal fat cells.
Panniculitis is a painful reaction to pancreatic issues, such as pancreatic failure or malignancy, and can present itself in several forms, taking root in different parts of the human body. The form of panniculitis that can be found on the face and upper body is found in patients with systemic lupus and therefore is called lupus profundus or lupus panniculitis.
Presentation and Symptoms
Lupus panniculitis is identified by lesions or nodules that form on the face, chest, upper arms, and in late stages atrophy of subcutaneous tissue can occur. Along with lesions comes the possibility of ulcers forming, though it is more typical that the outer layers of skin remain unblemished. Tenderness and pain are associated with the nodules that appear with this condition. Systemic symptoms such as fatigue and weight loss can be associated with all forms of panniculitis.
Causes
Pancreatic problems cause the elevation of amylase and lipase levels, which leads to inflammation of fat tissues.
Research Findings
It is hypothesized by researcher S.S. Dhawan and associates that diseased amylases and lipase travel from a patient's diseased pancreas throughout the body, causing painful ramifications. This hypothesis was tested by injecting a single colored dye into cells of adipocytes and then tracking the stained cells from where they occurred in the diseased pancreas to regions where nodules appeared.
Testing
Blood tests for amylase and lipase levels and CT scans of the pancreas are used along with a physical exam of symptoms to determine diagnosis of lupus panniculitis. A patient's medical history also aids doctors in diagnosing lupus profundus because the patient will have had a history of skin atrophy and scaring from lesions; patients will also have a history of their basal-cell layer of skin being degenerated and inflammation in the perivascular and periappendageal lymphocytic systems..
Treatment
Drugs used to treat malaria are effective in treating symptoms of lupus panniculitis but symptoms are known to recur.
Specialist Needed
A dermatologist can be seen for diagnosis of lupus panniculitis as well as an endocrinologist.
Tags: lupus panniculitis, amylase lipase, amylase lipase levels, associated with, diagnosis lupus, , diseased pancreas