Necrobiosis lipoidica: treatment by hyperbaric oxygen and local corticosteroids

Abstract

Necrobiosis lipoidica (NL) is closely associated with diabetes mellitus. Two-thirds to three-fourths of patients with NL have diabetes, although NL occurs in only 0.3% of diabetic patients. Typical lesions are found on pretibial skin, usually in young female diabetic patients whose disease is inadequately controlled. The cause of this dermopathy remains unknown. Multiple treatments have been described but have not led to consistent results. We report the case of a 28-year-old insulin-dependent diabetic woman with a disease duration of 23 years who spontaneously developed ulcerated NL on pretibial skin. NL progressively improved during 113 sessions of hyperbaric oxygen therapy and local corticosteroids.