title: Pretibial Myxedema Masquerading as a Venous Leg Ulcer.
abstract: The authors report a case of pretibial myxedema (PTM) masquerading as a venous leg ulcer to alert wound care clinicians to this diagnostic possibility. Pretibial myxedema is a localized form of mucin cutaneous deposition characterized by indurated plaques most commonly on anterior legs. It is more likely to present in patients with Graves' disease, but it can be found in euthyroid patients as well. The physiopathology of PTM is complex, and there is an accumulation of highly hydrophilic glycosaminoglycans in the dermis. Minimal morbidity is associated with PTM, but the pruritus related to mucin deposition can be intense. The skin around venous leg ulcers and the skin changes related to PTM can have a similar clinical presentation, which may be a reason PTM is under-recognized.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL.
authors.forename: Ingrid
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Herskovitz
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL.
authors.forename: Olivia
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Hughes
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL.
authors.forename: Flor
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: MacQuhae
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL.
authors.forename: Robert S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Kirsner
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006111:Graves Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007868:Leg Dermatoses / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D009077:Mucins / Q000032:analysis; D009230:Myxedema / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014647:Varicose Ulcer / Q000473:pathology*; D014945:Wound Healing
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D009077:Mucins; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide