[Papular mucinosis associated with hypothyroidism]

Abstract

Papular mucinosis or lichen myxedematosus is an idiopathic disorder characterized by papules, nodules or plaques caused by mucin deposition in the dermis, in the absence of thyroid disease. The present report describes an atypical case with exuberant lesions in the form of plaques, associated with subclinical hypothyroidism. In cutaneous mucinosis, there is an abnormal quantity of mucin in the dermis. In traditional classifications of papular mucinosis, an absence of thyroid disease constitutes a diagnostic criterion. A few cases of the disease have been reported in association with hypothyroidism constituting, as in the present case, atypical lichen myxedematosus. It is therefore suggested that the presence of thyroid disease should not be considered an exclusion criterion for the diagnosis of this condition.