Acropachy

Acropachy

Acropachy is a rare condition characterized by soft tissue swelling of the hands and feet, clubbing of the fingers, and periosteal new bone formation. It is most commonly associated with Graves' disease, an autoimmune disorder that affects the thyroid gland.

Clinical Features

Acropachy presents with several distinct clinical features:

• Digital Clubbing: This is the enlargement of the distal phalanges of the fingers and toes, resulting in a bulbous appearance.
• Soft Tissue Swelling: Patients often exhibit swelling of the hands and feet, which can be mistaken for edema.
• Periosteal New Bone Formation: This involves the formation of new bone along the periosteum, particularly affecting the metacarpals and phalanges.

Pathophysiology

The exact pathophysiology of acropachy is not well understood, but it is believed to be related to the autoimmune processes that underlie Graves' disease. The condition is thought to result from the deposition of glycosaminoglycans in the soft tissues and periosteum, leading to the characteristic swelling and bone changes.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of acropachy is primarily clinical, based on the presence of the characteristic features in a patient with known Graves' disease. Radiography can be used to confirm the presence of periosteal new bone formation.

Treatment

There is no specific treatment for acropachy. Management focuses on controlling the underlying Graves' disease, which may involve the use of antithyroid drugs, radioactive iodine therapy, or thyroidectomy. Symptomatic treatment for pain and swelling may include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Related Conditions

Acropachy is often associated with other manifestations of Graves' disease, such as Graves' ophthalmopathy and pretibial myxedema. These conditions share a common autoimmune etiology and may occur concurrently.

Related Pages

• Graves' disease
• Thyroid gland
• Autoimmune disorder
• Digital clubbing

Gallery

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  Diagram illustrating autosomal recessive inheritance, which is not directly related to acropachy but useful for understanding genetic conditions.