Rediet Ambachew1, Tizita Yosef2, Aklilu M Gebremariam2,3, Lishan Demere2, Theodros Aberra4, Getahun Tarekegn4, Ahmed Reja4. 1. Department of Endocrinology, Addis Ababa University, College of health sciences, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. redixnew21@yahoo.com. 2. Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Addis Ababa University, College of health sciences, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. 3. Department of Pathology, Armauer Hansen Research Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. 4. Department of Endocrinology, Addis Ababa University, College of health sciences, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
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.
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.