Factitial Weber-Christian Syndrome

Abstract

A unique psychocutaneous syndrome characterized by relapsing febrile nodular nonsuppurative panniculitis was seen in a teenage girl. Her disease, thought to be Weber-Christian syndrome clinically and pathologically, was eventually discovered to be caused by self-injections of milk. The bizarre pattern of typical factitial dermatitis is easily recognized, but exceptional cases may closely resemble authentic disease. Although factitial dermatitis may be associated with many different psychiatric conditions, the highest suspicion should be reserved for the hysterical personality. The characteristic behavior of the hysterical personality can alert the clinician to the possibility of factitial dermatitis.