Systemic Weber-Christian disease.

BACKGROUND

Weber-Christian disease is a controversial entity that histologically presents as a lobular panniculitis. A systemic variant of this disorder, in which visceral fat is affected, has been reported.

OBJECTIVE

A 29-year-old woman with Weber-Christian disease developed a rapidly enlarging abdominal mass during hospitalization for a flare of her skin condition. The mass resolved spontaneously. Radiographic studies demonstrated a mesenteric cyst, which was thought to represent involvement of mesenteric fat by Weber-Christian disease.

CONCLUSION

The appearance of an abdominal or pelvic mass in a patient with Weber-Christian disease may be due to visceral involvement by the inflammatory process.