Korean J Gastroenterol.  2016 May;67(5):272-276. 10.4166/kjg.2016.67.5.272.

Repeated Panniculitis Induced by Pegylated Interferon Alpha 2a in a Patient with Chronic Hepatitis C

• Song JS
• Sohn JH
• Jeong JY
• Min JH
• Choi WS
• Kim OZ
• Pyo JY

• KMID: 2164336
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4166/kjg.2016.67.5.272

Abstract

Pegylated interferon alpha (PEG-IFN-α) is widely used to treat chronic hepatitis C in combination with ribavirin. Many adverse effects of PEG-IFN-α, such as hematologic, psychologic, dermatologic, immunologic, and other abnormalities, have been reported, and some serious adverse events lead to PEG-IFN-α treatment discontinuation. For very rare adverse events such as panniculitis, there are no established guidelines on whether to continue PEG-IFN-α treatment. Published reports on panniculitis induced by PEG-IFN-α 2a are sparse. Herein we report a case of repeated occurrences of panniculitis in a patient with chronic hepatitis C, leading to treatment cessation.

Keyword

Panniculitis; Peginterferon alfa-2a; Hepatitis C; Adverse effects

MeSH Terms

Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C, Chronic*
Hepatitis, Chronic*
Humans
Interferon-alpha*
Interferons*
Panniculitis*
Ribavirin
Withholding Treatment
Interferon-alpha
Interferons
Ribavirin

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1. The skin lesion was reddish and edematous, and the size of subcutaneous nodule was 6×6 cm.

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  Fig. 2. Ultrasonographic findings. Soft tissue ultrasound shows cellulitis, panniculitis and myositis of the left abdominal wall compatible with chemical-induced inflammation.

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  Fig. 3. Microscopic findings of the punch biopsy specimen (H&E). (A) Histology of bisected tissue section of abdominal skin lesion (×12.5). (B) Superficial perivascular and interstitial lymphocytic infiltrates (×100). (C) Deep perivascular and interstitial lymphocytic infiltrates (×200) (arrows).(D) In deep dermis, a few degenerated adipocytes with lymphocytic infiltration (×200) (arrow).

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  Fig. 4. Microscopic findings of typical panniculitis. Lobular panniculitis with mixed infiltration of lymphocyte and plasma cell (H&E, ×40). Courtesy of Yoo et al. (Korean J Dermatol 2012;50:640–643).

Reference

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