A Case of Hyperthyroidism with Edematous Erythema of Bilateral Palpebra as a Primary Manifestation

Abstract

The patient was a 64-year-old woman with edematous erythema over the bilateral palpebra and the buccal region. Although we at first suspected a collagen disease, sarcoidosis, contact dermatitis, angioedema, erysipelas, or superior vena cava syndrome, the diagnosis of Basedow’s disease was finally made on the basis of the laboratory results of biochemical profiles and thyroid functional tests as well as the histopathologic findings. We concluded that her dermatosis was due to Basedow’s disease because it disappeared soon after treatment with thiamazole. Hyperthyroidism is known to rarely induce skin lesions such as those observed in our case, so we should check whether or not a patient has hyperthyroidism when we observed skin lesions such as edema in the eyelids with unknown reasons.