necrobiosis necrobiosis necrobiosis is the physiological death of a cell, and can be caused by conditions such as basophilia, erythema, or a tumor. it is identified both with and without necrosis. necrobiosisspecialtypathology necrobiotic disorders are characterized by presence of necrobiotic granuloma on histopathology. necrobiotic granuloma is described as aggregation of histiocytes around a central area of altered collagen and elastic fibers. such a granuloma is typically arranged in a palisaded pattern. it is associated with necrobiosis lipoidica and granuloma annulare. necrobiosis differs from apoptosis, which kills a damaged cell to protect the body from harm.