Bullosis diabeticorum. A case report and literature review

Abstract

We report a case of bullosis diabeticorum with blisters confined to the lower legs and feet. Histology of a lesion demonstrated a bulla at the dermo-epidermal junction, and ultrastructural studies confirmed the split to be at the level of the lamina lucida which we propose is the site of the pathology in this condition. Immunofluorescence studies were negative, excluding an immunobullous disease. We postulate that in our patient a combination of increased venous pressure and poor vascular supply in diabetic skin, led to the blister formation. The literature on this condition is reviewed.