Don't Go Breaking My Heart: Not Your Ordinary Tattoo Reaction

Am J Dermatopathol. 2023 Aug 1;45(8):582-584. doi: 10.1097/DAD.0000000000002478.

Abstract

Necrobiosis lipoidica (NL) is a rare, chronic idiopathic granulomatous dermatitis with a somewhat controversial association with diabetes and other systemic diseases. We report a case of NL developing within a polychromic tattoo on the lower leg of a 53-year-old woman. Characteristic histopathologic findings of both active and chronic "burnt-out" NL appeared to originate from the tattoo where red ink was used 13 years prior. To the best of our knowledge, only 3 other cases of tattoo-associated NL have been reported.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Humans
  • Leg / pathology
  • Lower Extremity / pathology
  • Middle Aged
  • Necrobiosis Lipoidica* / etiology
  • Necrobiosis Lipoidica* / pathology
  • Tattooing* / adverse effects