A Case of Graves' Disease Showing a Triad of Ophthalmopathy, Pretibial Myxedema and Thyroid Acropachy / 대한피부과학회지

Graves' disease is an autoimmune disorder of the thyroid gland and the most common cause of hyperthyroidism. Classic clinical findings include ophthalmopathy (exophthalmos), dermopathy (pretibial myxedema) and thyroid acropachy. The triad of Graves' clinical findings occurs in less than 1% of Graves' patients. We present a case of Graves' disease with the clinical triad of exophthalmos, pretibial myxedema, and thyroid acropachy.

Thyroid Acropachy / 대한정형외과학회잡지

Thyroid acropachy is a rare complication of Graves' disease, manifested by clubbing of the terminal phalanges, periosteal new bone formation and overlying soft tissue swelling, It may occur when the patient is hypothyroid, euthyroid or hyperthyroid. In most cases, it is a part of the syndrome, including exophthalmos and/or pretibial myxedema. The authors have experienced one case of thyroid acropachy and report with a review of the literature review. The patient a 56-year-old female with a characteristic feathery new bone formation on the medial side of the shaft of the left first metatarsal bone and overlying soft tissue swelling. However, there was no pretibial myxedema and clubbing of fingers. She was hypothyroid and treated with systemic corticosteroid for mild pain and persistent swelling. The treatment had temporarily improved the patient's condition.