Necrobiosis Lipoidica Clinical Presentation

  • Author: Cheryl J Barnes, MD; Chief Editor: Dirk M Elston, MD   more...
 
Updated: Feb 3, 2012
 

History and Physical Examination

History

Patients usually present with shiny, asymptomatic patches that slowly enlarge over months to years. The patches are initially red-brown and progress to yellow, depressed, atrophic plaques. Ulcerations can occur, typically after trauma and occasionally with associated pain. The patient's main complaint is the unsightly cosmetic appearance of the lesions.

Physical examination

Skin lesions of classic necrobiosis lipoidica begin as 1- to 3-mm, well-circumscribed papules that expand to form plaques with active, more-indurated borders and waxy, strophic centers. Initially, these plaques are reddish brown but progressively become more yellow, shiny, and atrophic in appearance. (See the images below.)

Typical presentation of necrobiosis lipoidica on tTypical presentation of necrobiosis lipoidica on the lower pretibial legs. Red-brown plaque with yellow atrophic center on loRed-brown plaque with yellow atrophic center on lower leg.

Most cases of necrobiosis lipoidica occur on the pretibial area, but cases have been reported on the face, scalp, trunk, and upper extremities, where the diagnosis is more likely to be missed. Multiple telangiectatic vessels can be seen on the surface of the thinning epidermis.

Ulceration at the site of trauma and subsequent infection are occasional complications of necrobiosis lipoidica. The Koebner phenomenon has been well established in patients with necrobiosis lipoidica, especially in patients with vasculitis at the site of trauma.[4]

Miller reported a case of a woman with known type 1 diabetes mellitus who developed biopsy-proven necrobiosis lipoidica in a cholecystectomy scar and also on her abdomen at insulin injection sites.

In most patients, the lesions of necrobiosis lipoidica are multiple and bilateral. The lesions may become painless because of cutaneous nerve damage (75% of cases), or they may be extremely painful (25% of cases).

Proceed to Differential Diagnoses
 
 
Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Cheryl J Barnes, MD  Dermatologist, McIntosh Clinic, PC

Cheryl J Barnes, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Loretta Davis, MD  Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Dermatology, Medical College of Georgia

Loretta Davis, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD  Director, Ackerman Academy of Dermatopathology, New York

Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

David F Butler, MD Professor of Dermatology, Texas A&M University College of Medicine; Chair, Department of Dermatology, Director, Dermatology Residency Training Program, Scott and White Clinic, Northside Clinic

David F Butler, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, American Society for MOHS Surgery, Association of Military Dermatologists, and Phi Beta Kappa

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Edward F Chan, MD Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine

Edward F Chan, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Society of Dermatopathology, and Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Gregory J Raugi, MD, PhD Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Dermatology, University of Washington at Seattle; Chief, Dermatology Section, Primary and Specialty Care Service, Veterans Administration Medical Center of Seattle

Gregory J Raugi, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

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  3. Rollins TG, Winkelmann RK. Necrobiosis lipoidica granulomatosis. Necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum in the nondiabetic. Arch Dermatol. Oct 1960;82:537-43. [Medline].

  4. Miller RA. The Koebner phenomenon. Int J Dermatol. May 1982;21(4):192-7. [Medline].

  5. Mistry N, Chih-Ho Hong H, Crawford RI. Pretibial angioplasia: a novel entity encompassing the clinical features of necrobiosis lipoidica and the histopathology of venous insufficiency. J Cutan Med Surg. Jan-Feb 2011;15(1):15-20. [Medline].

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Typical presentation of necrobiosis lipoidica on the lower pretibial legs.
Red-brown plaque with yellow atrophic center on lower leg.
 
 
 
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