Recognizing Weber-Christian disease.

Abstract

The eponym Weber-Christian Disease (WCD) defines a chronic disorder characterized by relapsing febrile episodes and panniculitis. Systemic manifestations due to visceral involvement may be present. WCD is associated with no identifiable cause, although chronic panniculitis may be due to definable underlying disorders. A variety of distinctive disease entities, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), pancreatic disease, alpha-I-antitrypsin disease, lymphoproliferative neoplasia, infections, or trauma are associated with chronic panniculitis. The accurate diagnosis of panniculitis requires an adequate deep skin biopsy showing inflammation of the subcutaneous layers. We describe a white woman with fever and recurrent episodes of painful nodules of the lower extremities, excisional biopsy of which confirmed panniculitis. The febrile episodes and skin lesions responded dramatically with the use of oral corticosteroids.