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. 2021 Mar 1;14(1):4.
doi: 10.1186/s13044-021-00096-z.

Pretibial myxedema in a euthyroid patient: a case report

Rediet Ambachew  1 , Tizita Yosef  2 , Aklilu M Gebremariam  2   3 , Lishan Demere  2 , Theodros Aberra  4 , Getahun Tarekegn  4 , Ahmed Reja  4
Affiliations

Pretibial myxedema in a euthyroid patient: a case report

Rediet Ambachew et al. Thyroid Res. .

Abstract

Background: Pretibial myxedema also known as localized myxedema, thyroid dermopathy, or infiltrative dermopathy and rarely as localized mucinosis is an infrequent manifestation of Graves' disease. It can appear before, during, or after the thyrotoxic state. Euthyroid pretibial myxedema is a rare presentation with few case reports in the literature. This case highlights the importance of considering pretibial myxedema when characteristic skin lesions are observed in a euthyroid patient.

Case presentation: A 72-year old male Ethiopian patient with a very rare presentation of biopsy-proven pretibial myxedema in a euthyroid state without history of thyroid disease and absence of thyroid autoimmune markers. Resolution of skin lesion was achieved after topical corticosteroid application.

Conclusion: Absence of history of thyroid disorder and normal thyroid function tests should not exclude the diagnosis of pretibial myxedema.

Keywords: Euthyroid; Pretibial myxedema.

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Conflict of interest statement

No financial and non-financial competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Indurated translucent papules and plaque, with erythematous and hyperpigmented background, non-pitting edema on the pretibial areas bilaterally with “peau d’orange” appearance
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Histopathological features. There is pallor of the dermis 25x (a), 40x (b). Widely spaced thin collagen fibres in the dermis, a result of the increased amount of mucin in the interstitium 100x (c), 200x (d). Few stellate fibroblasts 400x (e). (Hematoxylin and eosin)
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Improvement of the skin lesions - after treatment
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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