necrobiosis lipoidica

Etiology

• unknown
• generally occurs as complication of diabetes mellitus (see necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum)
• also occurs in patients without diabetes mellitus

Pathology

• disorder of collagen degeneration with a granulomatous response
• thickening of blood vessel walls
• fat deposition

Clinical manifestations

* images

Complications

• ulceration, usually occurring after trauma
• infections can occur but are uncommon
• rare reported cases of squamous cell carcinomas developing in chronic lesions of necrobiosis lipoidica

More specific terms

• necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum [NLD]