Fat Necrosis: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment and Cost

Fat necrosis is a condition in which fat cells are damaged and die, leading to the formation of hard lumps. Fat necrosis can occur in any part of the body that contains fat, such as the breasts, abdomen, and thighs. It can be localized to one area of the body or it can affect multiple areas. It is more common in women than men due to fatty tissue deposits in these areas.

• Subcutaneous Fat Necrosis (SFN): This type of fat necrosis affects the subcutaneous layers of fat under the skin and is usually seen following an injury or surgery.
• Necrotizing Fasciitis: This type of fat necrosis occurs when bacteria invade deep layers of tissue surrounding muscles and organs such as the intestines or lungs. If left untreated this condition can lead to sepsis or even death if not treated promptly with antibiotics and surgical removal of dead tissue.
• Pancreatic Fat Necrosis: This type of fat necrosis occurs in the pancreas and is caused by trauma or pancreatitis. It leads to the death of fatty tissue, which can cause inflammation and scarring of the pancreas.

Fat Necrosis occurs when a fatty deposit in the body becomes damaged or begins to break down due to trauma, an infection, or other medical conditions such as diabetes. Common causes include:

• Surgery
• Liposuction
• Trauma
• Radiation therapy
• Pancreatitis

In some cases it can be caused by certain medications and medical treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

The primary symptoms of fat necrosis include:

• Swelling, pain and tenderness in the affected area.
• Hard lump on or beneath the skin (which may be movable).
• Drainage from the affected area, which may be white, yellow or greenish in color.
• Itching or burning sensation in the area.
• Fever (in more severe cases).

Prevention of fat necrosis can be accomplished by:

• Avoiding trauma to fatty areas of the body
• Maintaining a healthy diet
• Avoiding any medical treatments that may lead to fat necrosis.
• Additionally, proper wound care and regular skin assessments can help identify early signs of fat necrosis and prevent further damage.

• Physical Examination: The diagnosis of fat necrosis can be made through physical examination by a doctor or radiologist. The physical examination may involve palpation of the affected area to check for any changes in texture or tenderness.
• Complete blood count (CBC): It typically includes a white blood cell count, red blood cell count, haemoglobin/hematocrit levels, and platelet count. A CBC can also help identify if the fat necrosis is accompanied by an infection or inflammation.
• Serum electrolytes: If a person has fat necrosis, it is important to monitor their electrolyte levels closely and make sure they remain within normal ranges.
• Glucose levels: enzyme levels and cultures for bacteria or fungi: To diagnose fat necrosis, medical professionals will often order laboratory tests such as glucose levels, enzyme levels, and cultures for bacteria or fungi. These tests can help identify any underlying conditions that may be causing or contributing to the fat necrosis.
• Ultrasound: Fat necrosis on ultrasound is characterized by the presence of echogenic (bright) areas in the breast tissue that are either rounded or irregular in shape. These areas may show posterior acoustic enhancement, which is a sign of fat necrosis. The echogenic areas may also contain small cystic spaces, which are indicative of fat necrosis.
• X-ray: A chest X-ray is the most common imaging test used to diagnose fat necrosis. The X-ray will show a lesion or patch of calcification in the area where fat necrosis has occurred. The X-ray may also reveal deformity or thickening of the ribs, which can be caused by inflammation.
• Biopsy: If a lesion appears suspicious on imaging tests but cannot be fully identified through physical examination alone, a biopsy may need to be performed to confirm a diagnosis of fat necrosis. This involves taking a small sample of tissue from affected area with a needle and sending it for further testing in order to look for signs of fat breakdown and other abnormalities that might indicate cancerous changes.

Possible complications of fat necrosis include:

• Infection
• Inflammation
• Cyst formation
• Scarring

In some cases, it can also lead to calcification or the formation of hard masses in the affected area.

Additionally, it may cause pain and discomfort in the involved area due to its effects on surrounding tissues.

• Take a teaspoon of turmeric (haldi) powder with warm milk and drink it twice a day.
• Consume garlic cloves every day to improve the circulation in your body which helps reduce fat necrosis.
• Boil five to six curry leaves in two cups of water until the water reduces to one cup, strain the liquid and drink it twice daily for best results.
• Make a paste by mixing one tablespoon each of coriander seeds, cumin seeds, fennel seeds, and aniseed with some water, then apply this paste on the affected area for relief from fat necrosis pain and inflammation.
• Massage your skin with sesame oil or mustard oil several times each week as this can help reduce fat necrosis symptoms as well as improve your skin's condition overall.

• The best foods to eat when you have fat necrosis are those that are high in protein and low in fat. These include lean meats, fish, poultry, eggs, legumes, nuts and seeds.
• Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables is also beneficial for overall health.
• Additionally, it may be helpful to drink plenty of water throughout the day to flush out toxins from the body.
• Eat a balanced diet that is high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.

• Avoid eating high-fat foods, such as fried foods, full-fat dairy products, and processed meats.
• Also avoid eating sugary snacks and processed foods that are high in trans fats.
• Additionally, limit your intake of saturated fats from animal sources and unhealthy fats from vegetable sources.

Treatment for fat necrosis can include, but is not limited to the following, depending on the severity of the condition:

• Surgery: In cases where fat necrosis has caused a lump or mass in an area, surgical removal may be necessary. The procedure is typically done under local anesthesia and involves making an incision in the area to remove the mass. Depending on the extent of fat necrosis, any underlying tissue damage may need to be repaired.
• Antibiotics: If an infection has developed due to fat necrosis, antibiotics may be used to treat it.
• Steroid injections: Steroid injections can help reduce inflammation and swelling associated with fat necrosis.
• Pain relief medications: Pain relief medications may help reduce pain from fat necrosis.
• Lifestyle changes: Maintaining a healthy weight and engaging in regular physical activity can help reduce the risk of developing fat necrosis or other health complications associated with obesity or overweight status.

The best doctor to consult for this condition would be a plastic surgeon, who may suggest treatments such as steroid injections or liposuction. In more severe cases, they may recommend surgical removal of the affected area.

• Antibiotics to reduce inflammation and prevent infection: Antibiotics may be beneficial in cases of fat necrosis, as they can reduce inflammation and help prevent infection. Common antibiotics prescribed for fat necrosis include amoxicillin, clindamycin, cephalexin, and metronidazole.
• Anti-inflammatory medications: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) that may be purchased without a prescription, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen sodium (Aleve).
• Analgesics: Topical analgesics, such as capsaicin cream or lidocaine patches for fat necrosis can provide relief of symptoms.
• Prescription medications: When it comes to relieving pain, a doctor could recommend that you take prescription medications like opioids or muscle relaxants.
• Corticosteroids: Corticosteroids can provide relief from symptoms of fat necrosis such as pain and swelling. However, it is important to note that they do not address the underlying cause of the condition and do not stop additional fat cell death from occurring.

It typically takes 2-3 weeks to recover from fat necrosis. During this time, the affected area may experience swelling, bruising, and pain. The body will naturally break down and reabsorb the damaged fat cells over the course of several days or weeks.

The results of treatment for fat necrosis are usually permanent, but the condition can recur depending on the cause. To prevent recurrence, it is important to address any underlying cause of fat necrosis, such as poor nutrition or diabetes.

Post-treatment guidelines for fat necrosis include:

• Keeping the area clean and dry.
• Applying a topical antibiotic ointment to the area to reduce the risk of infection.
• Keeping the area covered with a sterile dressing or bandage to reduce pain and speed up healing.
• Scheduling follow-up appointments with your doctor to monitor healing and rule out any complications that may arise from fat necrosis, such as infection or delayed healing.

The cost of Fat Necrosis treatments in India can vary greatly depending on the severity of the condition and the treatments that are chosen. Generally, minor cases may require only topical medications or simple surgical procedures that may cost around Rs. 5,000 to 10,000.

In more severe cases, however, surgery and other more intensive treatments can range anywhere from Rs. 50,000 to 1 lakh or more. Additionally, if a patient requires multiple treatments or extended hospital stay due to complications, the costs can be even higher.

• The most common side effects of fat necrosis treatments are swelling, bruising, and pain near the affected area.
• Infection is another possibility, but it is one that may be mitigated if the appropriate wound care procedures are carried out.
• Rarely, there may also be scarring and pigment changes in the skin.

If you are suffering from any complications relating to Fat Necrosis then you should consult a doctor nearby as they can cause complications like 'embolism, swelling, pain and tenderness etc.' in which treatment course can range from a few months to years depending on the severity of the situation.