Necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum ("NLD") is a skin disorder
that usually occurs on the lower legs. It is more common in women, and there frequently are several affected areas.
The lesions are often asymptomatic but may become tender and ulcerate if injured.
NLD
is described as a hardened, raised area of the skin, with the center of the affected area usually
has a yellowish tint while the area surrounding it is a dark pink.
Another description of NLD is as slightly raised shiny red-brown patches. The centers
are often yellowish and may develop open sores that are slow to heal.
Pictures of NLD are available on-line (see References, below).
NLD usually occurs in people with diabetes, or in people with a family history of diabetes.
NLD may precede the diagnosis of diabetes,
thereby alerting the physician to screen for the
possibility of diabetes.
A few studies reported that around 0.3 to 0.7 percent of people with diabetes develop the lesions of NLD.1
The cause of NLD is unknown.
NLD usually goes through stages of activity and inactivity. One is not able to
predict when the condition will flare.
Treatment of NLD is difficult. Sometimes NLD responds to
topical cortisone creams, especially if covered ("occluded") with an airtight dressing.
Cortisone injections can also be used to treat NLD.
These may be more effective than cortisone creams.
Ultraviolet light treatment has been found to control this condition when it is flaring.
A baby aspirin each day, and other medications that thin the blood,
such as Trental, may help NLD.
Other medications, including prednisone pills (steroids) may
used in difficult or severe cases.2
An intriguing finding is that patients undergoing kidney/pancreas transplants have been reported to have partial or
complete resolution of their NLD.6,7,8
References
1.
Necrobiosis Lipoidica
At
Medscape. Requires free registration.
With pictures.
2.
Necrobiosis Lipoidica Diabeticorum
from the
American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.
With pictures.
3.
Necrobiosis lipoidica
At
Wikipedia.
With pictures.
4.
Necrobiosis Lipoidica
At
DermIS.net.
With pictures.
5.
Can you identify this condition?
From
the College of Family Physicians of Canada.
With pictures.
6.
Resolution of long-standing necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum (NLD) lesion after restoration of euglycemia following successful pancreas after kidney (PAK) transplantation: a case report.
Transplant Proc. 2011 Nov;43(9):3296-8.
7.
Does pancreas transplant in diabetic patients affect the evolution of necrobiosis lipoidica?
Int J Dermatol. 2009 Sep;48(9):964-70.
8.
Healing of chronic necrobiosis lipoidica lesions in a type 1 diabetic patient after pancreas-kidney transplantation: a case report.
J Endocrinol Invest. 2007 Mar;30(3):259-62.
