Overview
Nodular non-suppurative panniculitis, also known as Weber-Christian disease or relapsing febrile nodular non-suppurative panniculitis, is a rare inflammatory condition that affects the layer of fat just beneath the skin, called the subcutaneous fat or panniculis. In this disease, the immune system mistakenly attacks fat tissue, causing painful lumps or nodules to form under the skin, most often on the legs, thighs, and trunk. These nodules can be red, warm, and tender to the touch. Over time, some nodules may break down and leave small depressions or scars in the skin. Beyond the skin, this disease can sometimes affect internal organs that contain fat tissue, including the liver, spleen, bone marrow, and intestines, which can lead to more serious complications. Many people also experience fever, fatigue, and joint pain during flare-ups, making daily life difficult. The exact cause is not fully understood, and in many cases no clear trigger is found, though it may be linked to infections, autoimmune conditions, or certain medications. Treatment is mainly focused on managing symptoms and reducing inflammation. Doctors often use anti-inflammatory medicines such as corticosteroids (like prednisone), hydroxychloroquine, or other immune-suppressing drugs. There is currently no cure, and the disease can follow a relapsing and remitting course, meaning symptoms come and go over time. With careful management, many people are able to control their symptoms and maintain a reasonable quality of life.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Painful lumps or nodules under the skin, especially on the legs and trunkRedness and warmth over the skin lumpsFever during flare-upsFatigue and general feeling of being unwellJoint pain or achingSkin depressions or scars left after nodules healAbdominal pain if internal organs are affectedNausea or vomitingWeight lossEnlarged liver or spleen in some casesBruising or skin discoloration around affected areas
Clinical phenotype terms (15)— hover any for plain English
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Variable
Can begin at different ages, from infancy through adulthood
FDA & Trial Timeline
1 eventData sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Nodular non-suppurative panniculitis.
View clinical trials →Clinical Trials
View all trials with filters →No actively recruiting trials found for Nodular non-suppurative panniculitis at this time.
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Specialists
View all specialists →No specialists are currently listed for Nodular non-suppurative panniculitis.
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Nodular non-suppurative panniculitis.
Community
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Start the conversation →Latest news about Nodular non-suppurative panniculitis
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: Prospective WCD Post CABG Registry (CABG Registry)
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Nodular non-suppurative panniculitis
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
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Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.What tests do I need to confirm this diagnosis and rule out other causes?,Are my internal organs affected, and how will we monitor for this?,What treatment do you recommend for me, and what are the risks and benefits?,How long will I need to take corticosteroids or other medicines?,What warning signs should prompt me to seek emergency care?,Is there anything that might trigger my flare-ups that I should avoid?,Are there any clinical trials or new treatments I should know about?
Common questions about Nodular non-suppurative panniculitis
What is Nodular non-suppurative panniculitis?
Nodular non-suppurative panniculitis, also known as Weber-Christian disease or relapsing febrile nodular non-suppurative panniculitis, is a rare inflammatory condition that affects the layer of fat just beneath the skin, called the subcutaneous fat or panniculis. In this disease, the immune system mistakenly attacks fat tissue, causing painful lumps or nodules to form under the skin, most often on the legs, thighs, and trunk. These nodules can be red, warm, and tender to the touch. Over time, some nodules may break down and leave small depressions or scars in the skin. Beyond the skin, this d
How is Nodular non-suppurative panniculitis inherited?
Nodular non-suppurative panniculitis follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.