Necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum

Eight patients with necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum, in association with diabetes mellitus, were seen in the past 14 years out of a diabetic clinic population of 2,000. These patients are evaluated and the histological appearances of skin biopsies are discussed. The most recent literature on the aetiology, histological features and relationship to diabetes mellitus of N.L.D. is discussed. The value of cortisone modified glucose tolerance testing in patients presenting with N.L.D. lesions is emphasized. That the classical clinical presentation is often difficult to substantiate histopathologically is apparent from the detailed studies reported in the literature and reviewed briefly.