Subcutaneous fat necrosis presenting as a large mass

Abstract

Subcutaneous fat necrosis, though a rare phenomenon, can occur in patients of all ages. In newborns, it is an uncommon, self-limited panniculitis of traumatic origin, while in adults it is most commonly encountered among women presenting to breast clinics following a trivial or unnoticed injury sustained long ago. An acute presentation of fat necrosis as a large mass, however, is quite unusual and that may confuse the observer. History of trauma gives a clue to the diagnosis. We report an interesting case of traumatic subcutaneous fat necrosis because of massage therapy in a 66-year-old lady.