Necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum:: Response to pentoxiphylline

Necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum (NLD) is a condition that can be physically and psychologically distressing. Angiopathy leading to thrombosis and occlusion of the cutaneous vessels has been implicated in its etiology. Pentoxiphylline is a hemorrheological agent that improves blood flow and decreases red cell and platelet aggregation. Based on these data, aim of our study was to report clinical course of a 20-yr-old diabetic woman with NLD during therapy with Pentoxiphylline 400 mg 3 times daily. After 1 month of therapy, the lesions stopped enlarging. After 3 months, the lesions showed initial signs of healing. At 6-month follow-up, there was near resolution of the lesions. The patient continued therapy and remained in remission at 2-yr follow-up. This improvement relieved psychological stress on the patient. No side effects of treatment were reported. In conclusion, patients with NLD may benefit from treatment with pentoxiphylline. We recommend therapy with 400 mg 3 times daily. The drug should be continued for at least 6 months. (C) 2003, Editrice Kurtis.