BACKGROUND The Thyroid Hormone (TH) is a key element in the endocrine control of epidermal development and function. Clinical evidence suggest that TH is involved in epidermal proliferation and differentiation, hair growth and wound healing besides affecting the function of dermal fibroblasts. Cutaneous signs of thyroid disease can be caused by the thyroid malady itself or be due to a primary cutaneous disease that has an associated risk of thyroid disease. Primary diseases of the skin, such as vitiligo or lichen sclerosus et atrophicus are associated with an increased prevalence of Autoimmune Thyroid Disease (AITD). This is a prospective crosssectional and comparative study carried out in the outpatient departments of Dermatology and Endocrinology at Osmania General Hospital during the period from November 2012 to August 2014 to study the cutaneous disorders associated with thyroid dysfunction. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 65 cases of who presented to OPDs of DVL and Endocrinology at OGH, who were previously diagnosed to have thyroid dysfunction were included in the study. Another 65 age and sex matched control group was taken who presented to the general OPD with non-thyroid disorders. The patients were examined clinically to look for the evidence of thyroid dysfunction manifesting in the skin and appendages in the form of textural and pigmentary changes and other associated conditions. Hair microscopy was done to rule out hair shaft disorders. Hair pull test was done to know the percentage of hairs in telogen and anagen. The skin findings in the patients and the control group were compared statistically. Chi square test was applied and p value was calculated. All the patients were subjected to laboratory investigations to evaluate the status of thyroid dysfunction. Thyroid profile (T3, T4 and TSH) was done in every case. Reference values for TSH (0.3-5.2 mIU/L), T4 (5.0-12.5 g/dL), T3 (0.8-1.9 ng/mL). Selected cases were further investigated by anti-TPO, Fine needle aspiration cytology and ultrasonography of the thyroid. RESULTS Dry coarse skin 20 (62.5%), diffuse hair loss 17 (53.1%), swelling of face and hands 10 (31.25%), pruritus 9 (28.1%) were the common symptoms among the hypothyroid group. In the hyperthyroid group swelling in the neck 13 (65%), flushing 12 (60), pruritus 11 (55%) and diffuse hair loss 8 (40%) were the frequent symptoms. The percentage of symptoms reported were more in the study group in contrast to the controls. Among the associated skin disorders, chronic idiopathic urticaria, vitiligo, alopecia areata were observed with increased frequency in patients with thyroid disorders when compared to controls and had a statistically significant association (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION When compared for the presence of each dermatosis, pruritus, diffuse hair loss, hyperpigmentation, xerosis, flushing, goitre, hyperhidrosis, chronic urticaria, vitiligo, alopecia areata were found to be significantly higher in the patient group with thyroid diseases than in the control group. There is a convincing...

BACKGROUNDChromoblastomycosis belongs to the heterogeneous group of subcutaneous mycoses. It is caused by various pigmented (Dematiaceous) fungi, which gain entry into the skin via traumatic implantation. We would like to share a case report of chromoblastomycosis in a 30-year-old male, who presented to DVL OP Osmania General Hospital with the complaints of slowly progressive, raised itchy lesions over abdomen, limbs and back since 1yr. He has been treated with itraconazole 200mg twice daily. The patient showed favourable response to itraconazole.