Morphological Diversity of Pretibial Myxedema and Its Mechanism of Evolving Process and Outcome: A Retrospective Study of 216 Cases

Figure 15

Trends of serum TRAb levels with the extension of their courses in 6 PTM variants of 216 cases. (a) In nodule variant, means of serum TRAb titers invariably decreased from 189.37 IU/L at 0.67–3 months to 9.04 IU/L at 61–120 months in the course. (b) In plaque variant, means of serum TRAb titers fluctuated with the extension of course. The lowest titers were 37.5 IU/L at 4–6 months and 40 IU/L at 25–60 months, respectively, and the highest titers were 153.02 IU/L at 0.67–3 months, 135.29 IU/L at 13–24 months, and 110.5 IU/L at 61–120 months, respectively. There was no decreasing trend of autoimmune activity with the extension of course. (c) In diffuse swelling variant, means of serum TRAb titers fluctuated with the extension of course. The lowest points were 74.89 IU/L at 7–12 months and 103.99 IU/L at 61–120 months. The highest points were 159.7 IU/L at 4–6 months, 189.35 IU/L at 13–24 months, and 181.3 IU/L at 121–192 months. (d) In tumor variant, means of serum TRAb titers fluctuated with the extension of course. (e) In mixture variant, means of serum TRAb titers fluctuated from 181.18 IU/L at 0.67–3 months to 65 IU/L at 121–192 months. (f) In elephantiasis variant, means of serum TRAb titers dramatically fluctuated with the extension of course. The lowest points were at 25–60 months and 121–192 months of course and the highest points were at 7–12 months and 61–120 months.

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

(f)