Treatment Modalities of Necrobiosis Lipoidica: A Concise Systematic Review

Literaturrecherche zur Therapie der Necrobiosis lipoidica in der Kindheit

Die Necrobiosis lipoidica (NL) ist eine seltene granulomatöse Erkrankung mit scharf begrenzten, teleangiektatischen, braun‐roten Plaques mit atroph‐gelblichen Zentren, die zu Ulzerationen neigen und hauptsächlich an den Schienbeinen auftreten. Bei Kindern ist NL sehr selten, jedoch sind die Therapieresistenz, das problematische kosmetische Erscheinungsbild, die schmerzhaften Ulzerationen und die mögliche Entwicklung von Plattenepithelkarzinomen besonders herausfordernd für diese Altersgruppe. Unsere Literaturrecherche inkludiert 29 Berichte über NL bei Patienten unter 18 Jahren, die seit 1990 auf PubMed, EMBASE und Medline publiziert wurden. Das mittlere Alter war 14,3 Jahre mit weiblicher Prädominanz von 2 : 1 und hoher Prävalenz von Diabetes mellitus (80%). Aus den Daten geht hervor, dass hochpotente topische Steroide bis zu zweimal täglich Behandlung erster Wahl sind. Therapierefraktäre Fälle können auf Tacrolimus umgestellt werden. Ulzerationen profitieren von phasenadaptierter Wundversorgung und antientzündlichen medizinischen Verbänden wie mit medizinischem Honig. Das Hinzufügen einer hyperbaren Sauerstoffbehandlung zur lokalen oder systemischen Therapie kann bei schwer behandelbaren ulzerierten Läsionen in Betracht gezogen werden. Therapieresistente Fälle können umgestellt werden auf topische Photochemotherapie oder systemische Behandlung mit TNF‐alpha‐Inhibitoren, systemischen Steroiden (bevorzugt bei Patienten ohne Diabetes), Pentoxifyllin oder Hydroxychloroquin. Necrobiosis lipoidica in der Kindheit ist mit über 40% fehlgeschlagenen Therapieversuchen schwer zu behandeln, weshalb weitere Forschung über Patientenregister empfohlen wird.

Necrobiosis lipoidica in childhood: a review of literature with emphasis on therapy

Necrobiosis lipoidica (NL) is a rare chronic granulomatous disease that manifests as sharply demarcated, telangiectatic, brownish-red plaques with atrophic yellowish centers prone to ulceration and occurs predominantly on the shins. In children, NL is extremely rare, but resistance to therapy, troublesome cosmetic appearance, painful ulcerations, and possible development of squamous cell carcinoma in long-persisting lesions are challenges during treatment. Our review includes 29 reports of NL in patients aged <18 years published from 1990 on PubMed, EMBASE, and Medline. The mean age of patients was 14.3 years, with a female predominance of 2 : 1 and a high prevalence of diabetes mellitus (80%). Data showed that potent topical steroids up to twice daily is the first-line treatment. For refractory cases, therapy can be switched to tacrolimus. Ulcerations benefit from phase-adapted wound care and anti-inflammatory medical dressings such as medical honey. Adding hyperbaric oxygenation to local or systemic therapy in difficult-to-treat ulcerated lesions can be considered. Refractory cases may be switched to topical photochemotherapy or systemic treatment with TNF-α inhibitors, systemic steroids (preferably in non-diabetic patients), pentoxifylline, or hydroxychloroquine. Necrobiosis lipoidica in childhood is difficult to treat, with a treatment failure rate of 40%. Therefore, further research through patient registries is recommended.

The Role of Lasers in Connective Tissue and Inflammatory Dermatoses: A 10-Year Retrospective Review of 60 Patients in a UK Tertiary Laser Clinic

Introduction

The role of lasers in the treatment of standard therapy-resistant inflammatory dermatoses and connective tissue disorders has been controversial and evidence supporting the role of lasers in this setting is scarce.

Objective

To assess the efficacy of lasers in the management of inflammatory dermatoses and connective tissue disorders (CTD).

Materials and Methods

A retrospective case review of all inflammatory dermatoses/connective tissue diseases treated in a tertiary laser clinic between March 2010 and 2020 was undertaken.

Results

A total of 60 cases (48 = female) were included and the average age was 51 years (range 21 to 74). The following conditions were treated: scleroderma n = 22 (37%), granuloma faciale n = 10 (17%), sarcoidosis n = 8 (13%), discoid lupus erythematosus n = 7 (12%), and systemic lupus erythematosus n = 2 (3%). Other diagnoses included necrobiosis lipoidica, pyoderma vegetans, hypertrophic lichen planus, and dermatomyositis. The most common type of laser used was pulsed dye laser (PDL) in n = 41 (68%) cases. Eight (13%) patients received treatment with the carbon dioxide (CO2) laser. The most common site treated was the face. A good response with a marked reduction of signs was seen in 62% of patients while 10% of the patients did not respond to laser treatment. Self-limiting complications included purpura and hyperpigmentation.

Limitations

Lack of objective assessment and outcome measures.

Conclusions

This is the largest cohort of patients to have undergone laser treatment for inflammatory dermatoses/connective tissue disease. Based on this retrospective review, we conclude that lasers can be a useful adjunct in the management of otherwise difficult-to-treat selected inflammatory and connective tissue diseases.

Atypical Ulcerative Necrobiosis Lipoidica Diabeticorum: A Case Study

Necrobiosis lipoidica is a granulomatous skin condition commonly associated with diabetes. When associated with diabetes mellitus, the name expands to necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum (NLD). In these patients, this rare condition has an incidence rate of 0.3% to 1.6%. The cause of NLD remains unknown even though many speculations exist in the medical literature. The treatment of this condition has most researchers agreeing on the use of topical steroids for the anti-inflammatory effect on NLD; however, the role of glucose control in the treatment of this disorder has been debatable. The following case presents a patient who, despite better glucose control, did not improve until the introduction of doxycycline.

A new atypical form of lipoid necrobiosis not associated with diabetes mellitus

A 55-year-old woman has lipoid necrobiosis of both legs, complicated by ulceration. The first manifestations of the disease appeared after an injury in the region of the left shin, an abrasion appeared, which later transformed into a glossy spot that slowly increased in size. She first sought medical help in 2017 and was clinically diagnosed with necrobiosis lipoidica. The prescribed treatment did not lead to an improvement in the patients condition. In 2021, after vaccination against COVID-19, the patient notes a sharp deterioration in the process. No convincing data for diabetes mellitus received. She has a history of multinodular non-toxic goiter, for which in 1995 a complete resection of the left lobe of the thyroid gland was performed and in 2003 a partial resection of the right lobe of the thyroid gland. The patient has been receiving L-thyroxine replacement therapy since 2003. A biopsy of the affected skin was taken. The final diagnosis was established according to the pathological and anatomical study of the biopsy. As a result of the treatment, the patient was discharged from the clinic with improvement.

Necrobiosis Lipoidica Affecting the Leg: What Is the Best Treatment in a Patient with Very High Aesthetic Demand?

Necrobiosis Lipoidica (NL) is a rare necrotising disorder of the skin characterized by collagen degeneration, thickening of blood vessels, and granulomatous inflammatory process. Its main clinical features are brownish-red papules and yellowish plaques with atrophic central areas. NL affects 0.3% -1.2% of the diabetic population, mostly women (female/male ratio is 3:1). Management of NL is challenging, especially for large lesions refractory to medical therapy, thus requiring surgical excision as an alternative option. Due to the rare occurrence of this condition no treatment guidelines exist and individualized treatment mostly depends on the severity of the lesion, location and patient's expectations. A case of a 30-year-old diabetic woman with very high aesthetic expectations was succesfully treated with staged resections of a giant NL to the leg and reconstruction with dermal template and full thickness skin grafts. Grafts were taken from the groin region bilaterally and from the lower abdomen after a cosmetic mini-abdominoplasty procedure. This approach allowed for a stable and very satisfactory aesthetic result with no donor site exposed scars.

The color of skin: yellow diseases of the skin, nails, and mucosa

The colors reflected from the skin are important indicators of dermatologic and systemic disorders. Incident light is subject to absorption by chromophores in the skin and scattering. Chromophores associated with yellow light reflection include the carotenoids and bilirubin. Various pathophysiologic mechanisms associated with these and other chromophores manifest with a yellow hue on examination. This review describes these mechanisms and the clinical features of yellow skin disorders by morphology. A brief summary of the differential diagnosis, laboratory investigations, and treatments are presented. Yellow skin disorders are a heterogenous group composed of abnormalities in keratin, elastic and connective tissue, lipid metabolism, and other states of metabolic, inflammatory, or organ dysfunction. Patients will present through different routes, and skin disease may precede or follow systemic disease. Dermatologists have an essential role in identifying those with malignant or systemic associations to ensure early diagnosis and treatment.

Concomitant necrobiosis lipoidica and splenic abscess

Necrobiosis lipoidica is an idiopathic dermatosis of unknown origin, occurring mainly in patients with diabetes. Splenic abscesses are rare entities. We report a case with concomitant necrobiosis lipoidica and splenic abscess. A 58-year-old man presented to emergency center with a two day history of left upper abdominal pain, general malaise, and pyrexia. On both lower legs the patient had skin lesions. The contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the abdomen revealed splenomegaly and splenic abscess in the upper pole of the spleen. On the fourth day after admission, patient underwent open splenectomy. For the lesions on lower legs, by clinical examination, necrobiosis lipoidica was confirmed. The patient was treated by topical administration of steroid cream. After a 2 months follow-up, this treatment was not effective. Left upper abdominal pain and pyrexia in patient with necrobiosis lipoidica may suggest splenic abscess.

Atypical presentation of necrobiosis lipoidica in a pediatric patient

Necrobiosis lipoidica (NL) is a rare chronic granulomatous inflammatory skin disease characterized by brownish-red papules and yellowish plaques with atrophic centers, which usually affect the legs, bilaterally. The average age of onset is 30-40 years, and there are very few reported cases of necrobiosis lipoidica in children. A nondiabetic girl aged 14 years presented to our clinic with a history of an asymptomatic, 7 × 5-cm single red plaque over her back in the interscapular area, which had started 5 years ago. Her laboratory tests were normal. A histopathologic evaluation confirmed the diagnosis of NL, and local treatment with clobetasol propionate twice daily was administrated. The patient will be followed up to monitor plasma glucose levels and evaluation of the lesion. Herein, we report a pediatric patient without diabetes mellitus who had NL in an atypical location and review the literature in view of the clinical features, complications, and treatment regimens for NL in children.

Cutaneous Markers of Systemic Disease in the Lower Extremity

The skin of the lower extremity can be a helpful diagnostic tool for systemic disease. Diabetes, renal disease, genetic disorders, and even cancer can have cutaneous manifestations in the legs and feet; moreover, proper diagnosis can facilitate earlier treatment of these diseases and not only clear up the skin symptoms but also bring about resolution of the systemic disease causing them. Although not comprehensive, this article discusses many of these disorders presenting with integumentary manifestations in the lower extremities. Where appropriate, it also enumerates the treatments involved, both systemic and localized.