Membranous fat necrosis in appendices epiploicae

Abstract

Membranous fat necrosis (MFN) is a degenerative process involving mature systemic adipose tissue. It is characterised by the presence of membranocystic foci surrounded by a lipophagic fibro-inflammatory reaction typical of fat necrosis. Membranocystic foci are cysts lined by an eosinophilic membrane with pseudopapillary infoldings having the histochemical staining profile of ceroid. Although MFN is described in an increasing number of adipose tissue sites, it has not been described as a distinct entity in appendices epiploicae (AE). Macroscopically, MFN in AE mimics nodal tuberculosis or metastatic tumour with necrosis and cystic change. Ischaemia, which can be secondary to physiological or pathologic processes, is crucial in the pathogenesis of MFN in AE. Heightened awareness of MFN as a distinct entity in AE is essential for accurate diagnosis and establishment of the pathogenesis of this enigmatic pathological process.

Lipomembranous fat necrosis in three cases of testicular torsion

“…To date, LFN has been found in: leg ischaemic necrosis secondary to chronic arterial obstruction; 4 patients with venous insufficiency, thromboangiitis obliterans and collagenopathies (lupus erythematosus, scleroderma and lipogranulomas); 5 lipomas; 6 diabetic patients; erythema nodosum; and patients with stasis dermatitis and lipogranulomas 7 . Approximately 16% of patients with LFN do not present any associated, underlying disease 8 , 9 . Since clinical symptoms of LFN vary widely, the disorder can only be diagnosed histologically.…”

Subcutaneous pseudomembranous fat necrosis: new observations/linkr>

“…The bone cysts are caused by replacement of fatty tissue of bone marrow by convoluted hyaline membranes 1 . Subsequently, it became evident that membranocystic changes are not specific for Nasu‐Hakola disease and can be found in association with a number of pathologic conditions of the subcutaneous tissue, breast, adipose tissue of the axilla, groin, mesentery, and even in fatty tumors and teratomas of the ovary 2–27 . The underlying mechanism for the formation of pseudomembranes is unknown and numerous hypothesis have been proposed.…”

Intestinal obstruction secondary to torsion of an appendix epiploica: a case report

“…It may remain attach to the colonic serosa, or it may detach from it and remain as a mobile, loose body within the peritoneal cavity [4]. Ischaemia, which can be secondary to physiological or pathologic processes, is crucial in the pathogenesis of membranous fat necrosis, which is a distinct entity in appendices epiploicae [5]. Macroscopically, membranous fat necrosis in appendices epiploicae mimics nodal tuberculosis or metastatic tumour with necrosis and cystic change.…”