Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
Search in posts
Search in pages
Filter by Categories
15th National Conference of the IAOMFP, Chennai, 2006
Abstract
Abstracts from current literature
Acne in India: Guidelines for management - IAA Consensus Document
Addendum
Announcement
Art & Psychiatry
Article
Articles
Association Activities
Association Notes
Award Article
Book Review
Brief Report
Case Analysis
Case Letter
Case Letters
Case Notes
Case Report
Case Reports
Clinical and Laboratory Investigations
Clinical Article
Clinical Studies
Clinical Study
Commentary
Conference Oration
Conference Summary
Continuing Medical Education
Correspondence
Corrigendum
Cosmetic Dermatology
Cosmetology
Current Best Evidence
Current Issue
Current View
Derma Quest
Dermato Surgery
Dermatopathology
Dermatosurgery Specials
Dispensing Pearl
Do you know?
Drug Dialogues
e-IJDVL
Editor Speaks
Editorial
Editorial Remarks
Editorial Report
Editorial Report - 2007
Editorial report for 2004-2005
Errata
Erratum
Focus
Fourth All India Conference Programme
From Our Book Shelf
From the Desk of Chief Editor
General
Get Set for Net
Get set for the net
Guest Article
Guest Editorial
History
How I Manage?
IADVL Announcement
IADVL Announcements
IJDVL Awards
IJDVL AWARDS 2015
IJDVL Awards 2018
IJDVL Awards 2019
IJDVL Awards 2020
IJDVL International Awards 2018
Images in Clinical Practice
In Memorium
Inaugural Address
Index
Knowledge From World Contemporaries
Leprosy Section
Letter in Response to Previous Publication
Letter to Editor
Letter to the Editor
Letter to the Editor - Case Letter
Letter to the Editor - Letter in Response to Published Article
LETTER TO THE EDITOR - LETTERS IN RESPONSE TO PUBLISHED ARTICLES
Letter to the Editor - Observation Letter
Letter to the Editor - Study Letter
Letter to the Editor - Therapy Letter
Letter to the Editor: Articles in Response to Previously Published Articles
Letters in Response to Previous Publication
Letters to the Editor
Letters to the Editor - Letter in Response to Previously Published Articles
Letters to the Editor: Case Letters
Letters to the Editor: Letters in Response to Previously Published Articles
Medicolegal Window
Messages
Miscellaneous Letter
Musings
Net Case
Net case report
Net Image
Net Images
Net Letter
Net Quiz
Net Study
New Preparations
News
News & Views
Obituary
Observation Letter
Observation Letters
Oration
Original Article
ORIGINAL CONTRIBUTION
Original Contributions
Pattern of Skin Diseases
Pearls
Pediatric Dermatology
Pediatric Rounds
Perspective
Presedential Address
Presidential Address
Presidents Remarks
Quiz
Recommendations
Regret
Report
Report of chief editor
Report of Hon : Treasurer IADVL
Report of Hon. General Secretary IADVL
Research Methdology
Research Methodology
Resident page
Resident's Page
Resident’s Page
Residents' Corner
Residents' Corner
Residents' Page
Retraction
Review
Review Article
Review Articles
Reviewers 2022
Revision Corner
Self Assessment Programme
SEMINAR
Seminar: Chronic Arsenicosis in India
Seminar: HIV Infection
Short Communication
Short Communications
Short Report
Snippets
Special Article
Specialty Interface
Studies
Study Letter
Study Letters
Supplement-Photoprotection
Supplement-Psoriasis
Symposium - Contact Dermatitis
Symposium - Lasers
Symposium - Pediatric Dermatoses
Symposium - Psoriasis
Symposium - Vesicobullous Disorders
SYMPOSIUM - VITILIGO
Symposium Aesthetic Surgery
Symposium Dermatopathology
Symposium-Hair Disorders
Symposium-Nails Part I
Symposium-Nails-Part II
Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses
Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis
Tables
Technology
Therapeutic Guideline-IADVL
Therapeutic Guidelines
Therapeutic Guidelines - IADVL
Therapeutics
Therapy
Therapy Letter
Therapy Letters
View Point
Viewpoint
What’s new in Dermatology
Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
Search in posts
Search in pages
Filter by Categories
15th National Conference of the IAOMFP, Chennai, 2006
Abstract
Abstracts from current literature
Acne in India: Guidelines for management - IAA Consensus Document
Addendum
Announcement
Art & Psychiatry
Article
Articles
Association Activities
Association Notes
Award Article
Book Review
Brief Report
Case Analysis
Case Letter
Case Letters
Case Notes
Case Report
Case Reports
Clinical and Laboratory Investigations
Clinical Article
Clinical Studies
Clinical Study
Commentary
Conference Oration
Conference Summary
Continuing Medical Education
Correspondence
Corrigendum
Cosmetic Dermatology
Cosmetology
Current Best Evidence
Current Issue
Current View
Derma Quest
Dermato Surgery
Dermatopathology
Dermatosurgery Specials
Dispensing Pearl
Do you know?
Drug Dialogues
e-IJDVL
Editor Speaks
Editorial
Editorial Remarks
Editorial Report
Editorial Report - 2007
Editorial report for 2004-2005
Errata
Erratum
Focus
Fourth All India Conference Programme
From Our Book Shelf
From the Desk of Chief Editor
General
Get Set for Net
Get set for the net
Guest Article
Guest Editorial
History
How I Manage?
IADVL Announcement
IADVL Announcements
IJDVL Awards
IJDVL AWARDS 2015
IJDVL Awards 2018
IJDVL Awards 2019
IJDVL Awards 2020
IJDVL International Awards 2018
Images in Clinical Practice
In Memorium
Inaugural Address
Index
Knowledge From World Contemporaries
Leprosy Section
Letter in Response to Previous Publication
Letter to Editor
Letter to the Editor
Letter to the Editor - Case Letter
Letter to the Editor - Letter in Response to Published Article
LETTER TO THE EDITOR - LETTERS IN RESPONSE TO PUBLISHED ARTICLES
Letter to the Editor - Observation Letter
Letter to the Editor - Study Letter
Letter to the Editor - Therapy Letter
Letter to the Editor: Articles in Response to Previously Published Articles
Letters in Response to Previous Publication
Letters to the Editor
Letters to the Editor - Letter in Response to Previously Published Articles
Letters to the Editor: Case Letters
Letters to the Editor: Letters in Response to Previously Published Articles
Medicolegal Window
Messages
Miscellaneous Letter
Musings
Net Case
Net case report
Net Image
Net Images
Net Letter
Net Quiz
Net Study
New Preparations
News
News & Views
Obituary
Observation Letter
Observation Letters
Oration
Original Article
ORIGINAL CONTRIBUTION
Original Contributions
Pattern of Skin Diseases
Pearls
Pediatric Dermatology
Pediatric Rounds
Perspective
Presedential Address
Presidential Address
Presidents Remarks
Quiz
Recommendations
Regret
Report
Report of chief editor
Report of Hon : Treasurer IADVL
Report of Hon. General Secretary IADVL
Research Methdology
Research Methodology
Resident page
Resident's Page
Resident’s Page
Residents' Corner
Residents' Corner
Residents' Page
Retraction
Review
Review Article
Review Articles
Reviewers 2022
Revision Corner
Self Assessment Programme
SEMINAR
Seminar: Chronic Arsenicosis in India
Seminar: HIV Infection
Short Communication
Short Communications
Short Report
Snippets
Special Article
Specialty Interface
Studies
Study Letter
Study Letters
Supplement-Photoprotection
Supplement-Psoriasis
Symposium - Contact Dermatitis
Symposium - Lasers
Symposium - Pediatric Dermatoses
Symposium - Psoriasis
Symposium - Vesicobullous Disorders
SYMPOSIUM - VITILIGO
Symposium Aesthetic Surgery
Symposium Dermatopathology
Symposium-Hair Disorders
Symposium-Nails Part I
Symposium-Nails-Part II
Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses
Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis
Tables
Technology
Therapeutic Guideline-IADVL
Therapeutic Guidelines
Therapeutic Guidelines - IADVL
Therapeutics
Therapy
Therapy Letter
Therapy Letters
View Point
Viewpoint
What’s new in Dermatology
View/Download PDF

Translate this page into:

Letter to the Editor
2010:76:4;431-433
doi: 10.4103/0378-6323.66604
PMID: 20657138

Ulcerative subcutaneous zygomycosis: Development of hypothyroidism induced by potassium iodide (Wolff-Chaikoff effect)

Bhushan Madke, Siddhi Chikhalkar, Sunanda Mahajan, Vidya Kharkar, Uday Khopkar
 Department of Dermatology, Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, India

Correspondence Address:
Uday Khopkar
Department of Dermatology, Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital, Parel, Mumbai- 400 012
India
How to cite this article:
Madke B, Chikhalkar S, Mahajan S, Kharkar V, Khopkar U. Ulcerative subcutaneous zygomycosis: Development of hypothyroidism induced by potassium iodide (Wolff-Chaikoff effect). Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 2010;76:431-433
Copyright: (C)2010 Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology, and Leprology

Sir,

Chronic subcutaneous zygomycosis (Phycomycosis, Entomphthoro-mycosis) is an uncommon subcutaneous mycosis caused by ubiquitous molds of the order Entomopthorales. [1],[2] Rational management of such uncommon mycoses requires confirmation of diagnosis by demonstrating fungal elements on histopathology as cultures are not always positive. [3] We came across an unusual presentation of subcutaneous zygomycosis that responded well to a combination of potassium iodide and itraconazole administration followed by skin grafting. Hypothyroidism was encountered as a side effect of potassium iodide therapy and has been reported infrequently in the dermatology literature. [4]

A 29-year-old, non-diabetic housewife hailing from West Bengal presented with a large fungating mass over left upper arm and shoulder of eight months duration. [Figure - 1] There was no history of trauma or surgical intervention of the involved extremity. There was no history suggestive of tuberculosis or significant contact with a tuberculosis patient. Patient gave no history of taking steroid or immunosuppressant drugs. On examination, there was a large fungating ulcerated mass occupying the whole left upper arm and axillary fossa. The mass showed areas of hemorrhagic crusting, necrosis and purulent discharge. The skin around the mass showed diffuse, erythematous and indurated swelling of approximately 25 cm in diameter extending upto anterior chest wall, scapula and infra-axillary area on the same side. On palpation, the boundary of this diffuse swelling could be felt well and fingers could be insinuated beneath the swelling on upper back. Regional lymph node examination was not possible due to severe soft tissue edema and limb enlargement.

Her general and systemic examinations were unremarkable except for moderate degree of pallor. Complete hemogram revealed anemia with hemoglobin of 8.6 g/dl. Routine blood biochemistry and urinalysis were normal. Her serology for HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C was negative. Peripheral smear and buffy coat preparation did not show any abnormal cells. Chest roentgenogram was normal and tuberculin skin test was negative. To rule out deep venous thromboses venous doppler of left arm was attempted, but it was not possible to visualize the vessels due to massive edema. Abdominal ultrasound was normal. X-ray of the arm showed gross soft tissue edema with poor visibility of underlying bones. Histopathological examination of skin biopsy revealed nodular and interstitial tuberculoid eosinophilic granulomatous infiltrate composed of lymphocytes, eosinophils, plasma cells, epitheloid cells, Langhans giant cells and foreign body type giant cells in whole of the dermis and subcutaneous fat. [Figure - 2] Non-septate, twisted, collapsed ribbons like hyphae typical of zygomycetes were observed on Gomori methenamine silver (GMS) stain under 40 magnification [Figure - 3]. However, fungal culture of the tissue did not show any growth at the end of four weeks.

With a working diagnosis of subcutaneous zygomycosis, we started the patient on saturated solution of potassium iodide (SSKI) along with itraconazole 200 mg twice a day for two months and then stepped down to 100 mg twice a day for one month. Oral potassium iodide was started with five drops t.i.d. and increased by one drop daily upto a maximum of 15 drops t.i.d. Intravenous amoxicillin (1g) plus clavulanic acid (200 mg) b.i.d and metronidazole 500 mg (100cc) b.i.d were instituted on the basis of antibiogram. Cleaning and dressing was done daily with hydrogen peroxide and normal saline.

However, one month later the patient developed iodide-induced hypothyroidism along with signs of iodism in the form of rhinorrhea for which the patient was started on thyroxine 75 μgm once a day and dose of potassium iodide was reduced to 13 drops t.i.d. Her baseline TSH was 2.70 μIU/ml (17/2/09), whereas one month later TSH was 16.8 μIU/ml (25/3/09). Two months after starting thyroxine, her TSH level dropped down to 6.78 μIU/ml, though it was higher than normal values. (0.3-5.5 μIU/ml)

Three months post-treatment, the mass had melted down by almost 90% and then she underwent plastic surgery for skin grafting to promote faster wound healing and better cosmesis. [Figure - 4] and [Figure - 5] Patient was discharged on oral itraconazole 100 mg b.i.d and potassium iodide 13 drops t.i.d. and was advised monthly monitoring of liver enzymes and thyroid profile. The patient followed up with our department in July 2009 with satisfactory response to treatment.

In our patient, the diagnosis of subcutaneous phycomycosis was suspected due to a painless large subcutaneous swelling showing the finger insinuation sign. It was proved by demonstration of typical hyphae in biopsy and favorable response to the therapy. However, culture of biopsy tissue and that from the ulcer floor or crust was negative. This is not entirely surprising as zygomycetes have large coenocytic hyphae which often get damaged and become nonviable during biopsy procedure and thereby giving a negative report on fungal culture. [5]

There are various clinical presentations of zygomycosis: ecthyma gangrenosum like lesion, cellulitis, facial edema, necrotic papulonodules, plaques, large hemorrhagic crust and targetoid morphology. [6],[7] Our case presented with an unusual ulcerated form of chronic subcutaneous zygomycosis with massive edema of the involved extremity due to venous obstruction.

It is proposed that potassium iodide has direct antifungal activity and also possess anti-fibrotic and proteolytic action and thereby concentrating the drug at tissue level. [8] One month after treatment, our patient was screened for iodide-induced hypothyroidism and was found to have raised TSH level and was started on oral thyroxine 75 μgm. Hence there was transient iodide-induced hypothyroidism known as Wolff- Chaikoff effect (WCE) [8] reflecting inhibition of organification by exogenous iodide. In patients with documented iodide-induced hypothyroidism, serum T 3, T 4 and TSH concentration returns to normal within one month of iodide discontinuation. [9] There exists an autoregulatory mechanism within the thyroid gland itself which serves to maintain a pool of organic iodine within the thyroid gland. The inhibition of organification of iodine in tyrosine residues results in cessation of thyroid hormone synthesis. [10] Less commonly, iodides may also induce hyperthyroidism (Jod-Basedow effect). [10] Therefore, for patients needing SSKI therapy, one should specifically ask about any history of thyroid diseases or taking amiodarone or thyroxine and preferably screen them for thyroid function at baseline and after a month of starting therapy. [8]

The dosing of potassium iodide (KI) ranges from 360 to 900 mg/day, [9] though higher dosages may be used in tolerant patients. Although KI is usually well tolerated, many adverse cutaneous side effects have been noted i.e. erythematous, urticarial, acneiform, nodular, pustular, purpuric, carbuncular and vegetative skin lesions. [10] Other reported adverse effects include fever, weakness, unusual tiredness, swelling in the neck or throat, mouth sores, skin rash, nausea, vomiting, stomach pains, irregular heartbeat, numbness or tingling of the hands or feet, a metallic taste in the mouth, acneiform eruption, sneezing, coryza, parotid gland swelling, increased lacrimation and salivation, brassy taste, eructation, non-inflammatory lid edema; all these constellation of signs and symptoms are commonly referred to as iodism. [9],[11],[12] Most of the side effects can be controlled by stopping the drug for few days and then again reinstituting therapy at lower dose. [11] To conclude, successful treatment strategy includes rapid diagnosis, prompt institution of systemic antifungal therapy and surgical resection of involved areas if appropriate.

References
1.
Diwakar A, Dewan RK, Chowdhary A, Randhawa HS, Khanna G, Gaur SN. Zygomycosis-a case report and overview of the disease in India. Mycoses 2007;50:247-54.
[Google Scholar]
2.
Romano C, Ghilardi A, Massai L, Capecchi PL, Miracco C, Fimiani M. Primary subcutaneous zygomycosis due to Rhizopus oryzae in a 71-year-old man with normal immune status. Mycoses 2006;50:82-4.
[Google Scholar]
3.
Pagano L, Valentini CG, Caira M, Fianchi L. ZYGOMYCOSIS: Current approaches to management of patients with haematological malignancies. Br J Haematol 2009;146:597-606.
[Google Scholar]
4.
Horio T, Danno K, Okamoto H, Miyachi Y, Imamura S. Potassium iodide in erythema nodosum and other erythematous dermatoses. J Am Acad Dermatol 1983;9:77-81.
[Google Scholar]
5.
Chandra S, Woodgyer A. Primary cutaneous zygomycosis due to Mucor circinelloides. Australas J Dermatol 2002;43:39-42.
[Google Scholar]
6.
Sobera OJ, Elewski EB. Fungal Diseases. In: Bolognia JL, Jorizzo JL, Rapini RP, editors. Dermatology. 2 nd ed. Spain: Mosby Elsevier; 2008. p. 1158.
[Google Scholar]
7.
Rubin AI, Grossman ME. Bull's- eye cutaneous infarct of zygomycosis: A bedside diagnosis confirmed by touch preparation. J Am Acad Dermatol 2004;51:996-1001.
[Google Scholar]
8.
Thappa DM, Karthikeyan K, Sujatha S. Subcutaneous zygomycosis: Current Indian scenario with a review. Indian J Dermatol 2003;48:212-8.
[Google Scholar]
9.
Heymann WR. Potassium iodide and the Wolff-Chaikoff effect: Relevance for the dermatologist. J Am Acad Dermatol 2000;42:490-2.
[Google Scholar]
10.
Jameson JL, Weetman AP. Diseases of the thyroid gland. In: Fauci AS, Braunwald E, Kasper DL, Longo DL, Hauser SL, Jameson JL, editors. Harrison's Principles of internal medicine. 16 th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2005. p. 2104-27.
th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2005. p. 2104-27. '>[Google Scholar]
11.
Diseases resulting from Fungi and Yeasts. In: James WD, Berger TG, Elston DM, editors. Andrew's Diseases of the skin Clinical Dermatology. 10th ed. Canada: Saunders Elsevier; 2006. p. 323.
[Google Scholar]
12.
Farewell AP, Braverman LE. Iodide. In: Hardman JG, Limbird LE, Molinoff PB, editors. Goodman and Gilman's the pharmacological basis of therapeutics. 9 th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill; 1996. p. 1402-4.
th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill; 1996. p. 1402-4.'>[Google Scholar]

Fulltext Views
1,239

PDF downloads
762
Show Sections