Differential diagnosis of thyroid dermopathy and acropachy with arthritis

Abstract

Thyroid acropachy is a rare manifestation of autoimmune thyroid disease with characteristic imaging findings. Clinically, it is almost always associated with thyroid ophthalmopathy and dermopathy. It presents as nail clubbing and swelling of the digits and toes. Especially, symmetrical swelling of the hands and feet as well as clubbing of the nails may require differential diagnosis with many hepatic, pulmonary, renal and even rheumatologic diseases. Radiologically, soft-tissue swelling and periosteal new bone formations are particularly significant. We present a 22-year-old female with Graves' disease who presented with bilateral swelling of the hands and feet and was diagnosed with thyroid acropachy following clinical and radiological evaluations.