been used, although no clear-cut data on the outcomes are available. Thyroid acropachy is characterized by digital clubbing of fingers (but not toes) and swelling of digits and toes together with a periosteal reaction of extremity bones. Both myxoedema and acropachy are due to proliferation of fibroblasts and deposition of glycosaminoglycans, somehow resembling GO, and are believed to have the same pathogenesis as GO. Both myxoedema and acropachy are rare, as they are observed in 0.5–5 and 0.07–1% of patients with Graves’ disease, respectively [4], and both are almost invariably associated with the presence of GO.
Fig. 2. a Diffuse pretibial myxoedema. b Elephantiasic pretibial myxoedema. c Thyroid acropachy.
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Dr. Michele Marinò
Endocrinology Unit I, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine
University of Pisa and University Hospital of Pisa
Via Paradisa 2, IT–56124 Pisa (Italy)
E-Mail [email protected]
Wiersinga WM, Kahaly GJ (eds): Graves’ Orbitopathy: A Multidisciplinary Approach – Questions and Answers.
Basel, Karger, 2017, pp 33–40 (DOI: 10.1159/000475947)
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Maria-Cristina Burlacu · Chantal Daumerie
Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Université Catholique de Louvain, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Brussels, Belgium