PubMed · 11888493
Facial edema associated with thyroid autoimmunity.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: There is growing evidence that some cases of chronic urticaria and angioedema are associated with thyroid autoimmunity. We present the case of a 42-year old woman with a two month long evolution of edema in the right hemiface associated with thyroid antibodies. METHODS: Skin tests were performed with a standard series of aeroallergens and foods and were negative. Epicutaneous tests were performed with a series of contact allergens with a negative result. The chest X-ray was normal. A complete blood count was performed with ESR, biochemistry study, proteinogram, coagulation, complement, rheumatoid factor, anti-nuclear antibodies, hydatidosis and hepatitis serologies, urine sediment and stool parasitology, which were normal. The TSH was normal and, among the thyroid antibodies, the thyroglobulin ones (492 IU/mL) were positive and the microsomal ones were negative. RESULTS: The edema remitted with the 2-month long thyroxin treatment. In spite of the clinical response, and although the thyroglobulin antibodies initially suffered a small decrease, they increased to values which greatly surpassed the initial ones, coinciding with a relapse of the facial edema, so that treatment was re-initiated with thyroxin, and the picture subsided again. CONCLUSIONS: Some cases of localized edema can be associated with thyroid antibodies and respond to treatment with thyroxin.
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J C Miralles, J Soriano, J M Negro. Facial edema associated with thyroid autoimmunity.. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0301-0546(02)79087-3
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