title: [Treatment of pretibial myxoedema with pentoxifylline].
abstract: Pretibial myxoedema is a rare symptom of Graves' disease. Histological studies detected mucopolysaccharide and glycosaminoglycan accumulation, and the role of anti-TSH receptor antibodies has been suggested. In this paper the authors present the case of a 34-year-old male patient with pretibial myxoedema treated successfully with pentoxifylline. In his case history multiple autoimmune diseases (type 1 diabetes mellitus, Graves' disease with severe ophthalmopathy) concomitantly occurred. His severe pretibial myxoedema was undiagnosed and untreated at the time of admission. Because of his diabetes, steroid was contraindicated, which made the choice of the treatment more difficult. He received first intradermal, then intravenous and, finally, oral pentoxifylline, which resulted in a regression of the dermatological symptoms. The beneficial effect of pentoxifylline might be explained by its inhibitory effect of proinflammatory cytokines and proliferation of fibroblasts, and the production of glycosaminoglycan. It was concluded that pentoxifylline can be an effective and safe treatment of pretibial myxoedema.
authors.affiliation: Maros Megyei Klinikai Kórház, Bőrgyógyászati Klinika, Marosvásárhely.
authors.forename: Boglárka
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Türke
authors.forename: Csaba
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Balázs
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000150:complications; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D016207:Cytokines / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007271:Injections, Intradermal; D007868:Leg Dermatoses / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009230:Myxedema / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D010431:Pentoxifylline / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000187:drug effects; D012074:Remission Induction
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; D010431:Pentoxifylline