Predestined body regions
Fatty tissue necrosis occurs very frequently in the breast, since the breast consists mainly of fat cells in addition to glandular tissue and connective tissue. Through an operation on the breast (e.g. breast conservation therapy (BET) for breast cancer, breast reduction or insertion of silicone implants) fat cells can be destroyed or the blood supply can be disrupted by cutting through vessels. This leads to necrotic death of breast fatty tissue and the formation of oil cysts, which are easily palpable from the outside as firm nodes.
The formation of fat necroses in the breast can also be caused by the insertion of defective silicone implants. The implants can tear open and the prosthesis contents can leak into the surrounding tissue and destroy the cells. Another common cause of necrosis of fatty tissue in the breast is blunt trauma injuries caused by trauma when the tissue is squeezed or bruised.
Normally, fatty tissue necrosis in the breast is unproblematic, but the injury can also cause blood vessels to tear, free fat drops to enter the bloodstream and block vessels, e.g. in the lungs (fat embolism). Such a severe course and complications occur very rarely. Fatty tissue necroses form on the thigh due to injuries, contusions or incorrectly performed injections.
In the area of the thigh and the abdominal wall, so-called Marcumar necrosis can occur as a rare side effect of long-term therapy with Marcumar. Marcumar is an anticoagulant drug that is used to thin the blood. Due to the increased tendency to coagulate at the beginning of treatment, small capillaries can become blocked and vascular occlusion occurs.
The consequences are circulatory disorders and the loss of fatty tissue with the formation of oil cysts. In the area of the buttocks, incorrectly placed injections often lead to the formation of fatty tissue necroses, which can be recognized by deep dents in the skin. Necroses are mainly caused by repeated administration of cortisone depot injections. The medication must be injected deep into the muscle, as too superficial an injection leads to the destruction of the fatty tissue, which can result in large dents in the affected area between the buttocks and hips.
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