Myxoedema refers to a waxy swelling of the skin classically seen in hypothyroidism.
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Terminology
Occasionally myxoedema is also used as a synonym for hypothyroidism or as a shortening for myxoedema coma.
Historically the term myxoedema has also been used for a localised form of skin thickening, especially of the shins (hence pretibial myxoedema), seen in some forms of hyperthyroidism, especially Graves disease. This has been renamed and is now properly known as thyroid dermopathy 3.
Clinical presentation
Typically the oedema is non-pitting in nature (cf. pitting oedema of congestive cardiac failure).
Pathology
Pathologically, myxoedema is due to a number of interrelated processes 3:
- accumulation of glycosaminoglycans, primarily hyaluronic acid, which due to its highly polar nature, may attract more than 1000 times its own weight in water
- mucin deposition
- escape of albumin into the extracellular space
- poor lymphatic drainage
History and etymology
Myxoedema is derived from Greek roots. 'Myxo' comes from the Greek word μυξα (myxa) meaning mucus, and 'oedema' from the Greek word οιδημα (oidema) meaning swelling 1,2.
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