Fat necrosis is one of many types of necrosis. Necrosis is cell death with inflammation (different from apoptosis, which is without inflammation).
Fat necrosis occurs in two forms.
1. Traumatic fat necrosis is the result of trauma. Cellular damage to fat-rich organs, such as the breasts, can lead to necrosis of the adipocytes.
2. Fat necrosis as a result of acute haemorrhagic pancreatitis. In this case, damage to the pancrease releases lipolytic enzymes into the blood, causing damage, and eventual necrosis of adipocytes.