Total pancreatectomy for recurrent medullary fat necrosis.

A patient had subcutaneous and medullary bone fat necrosis associated with chronic, recurrent pancreatitis. In the case, recurrent symptoms of pancreatitis as well as progressive bone destruction were correlated with an increase in serum lipase levels. Total pancreatectomy was followed by relief of all symptoms and healing of destroyed bone. Medullary fat necrosis may be associated with pancreatitis, pancreatic trauma, or cancer of the pancreas. Pancreatectomy may be useful if conservative treatment does not lead to healing of severe medullary fat necrosis associated with recurrent pancreatitis.