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A Case for Diagnosis: Weber-Christian Disease? Presented by Dr. S. William Levy and Dr. John Wheeless (by invitation).
A 35-year-old woman first noted a small subcutaneous nodule on the left upper arm about one and one-half years ago. The nodule became larger, firm, tender, raised, and covered by slightly erythematous skin. Many similar lesions have since occurred on the extremities, abdomen, and buttocks. The lesions vary from 2 to 6 cm. in size. Some of the nodules rupture and exude a thick, yellow, oily substance and heal with a scar. Others absorb without scarring. Each nodule lasts from a few days to several weeks. A moderate fever accompanies the development of new lesions. Some appear in sites after minimal trauma.
Treatment with oral corticosteroids and with novobiocin (Cathomycin) was without effect.
Extensive laboratory studies, including blood chemistry and cultures of the material from the nodules, are