• Muhammad Kashif, Hanesh Kumar, and Misbahuddin Khaja.
• aDivision of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine bDepartment of Medicine, Bronx Lebanon Hospital Center, Affiliated with Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NY, USA.
• Medicine (Baltimore). 2016 Sep 1; 95 (37): e4866.

BackgroundEruptive xanthomas are benign skin lesions caused by localized deposition of lipids in the dermis. The lesions are generally caused by elevated levels of serum triglycerides that leak through the capillaries and are phagocytosed by macrophages in the dermis. Clinical manifestation varies from asymptomatic skin lesions to intense pruritus and tenderness.MethodsWe present a case of a middle-aged man admitted with diabetic ketoacidosis secondary to noncompliance with insulin. He was found to have skin lesions as multiple crusted papules on the extremities. Further evaluation revealed elevated serum triglycerides. A diagnosis of eruptive xanthomas was made on skin biopsy, and after starting treatment with lipid lowering agents his cutaneous lesions gradually subsided.ConclusionAppearance of eruptive xanthomas can signify the onset of serious complications. Prompt recognition of such skin manifestations is warranted to prevent development of fatal medical condition like coronary artery disease and pancreatitis.

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