Post-Steroid Panniculitis in Acute Leukemia

PANNICULITIS of the subcutaneous tissue may follow the withdrawal of large doses of corticosteroids.1 2 3 4 5 6 It may be confused with leukemic infiltrations of the skin. Case Report Acute undifferentiated leukemia was established in a 6 1/2-year-old boy. Therapy comprised methotrexate and prednisone. Partial bone-marrow remission was achieved, and the dosage of prednisone was tapered, with methotrexate continued as maintenance therapy. The total dose of prednisone administered was 1350 mg. Forty-three days after withdrawal of corticosteroids 2 painful, enlarging nodules developed in the right thigh. Repeat bone-marrow examination demonstrated relapse, and the lesions were considered to be leukemic infiltrates. Therapy was altered . . .