Abstract

Agranulocytosis is a rare but life-threating side effect of antithyroid drugs such as methimazole and propylthiouracil. Female gender, age >40 years and first 3 months of antithyroid drug use are shown as risk factors for development of agranulocytosis in the literature. We reported a case of soft tissue infection occurring in a patient who has all above mentioned risk factors and developed agranulocytosis/neutropenia associated with methimazole in an attempt to notice the frequency of antithyroid drug-associated agranulocytosis, its  risk factors and complications. A 73-year-old female using methimazole due to hyperthyroidism for 2.5 months admitted with fever, neutropenia and paronychia. Patient who was not followed hematologically after starting antithyroid drug was diagnosed agranulocytosis/neutropenia. During her recovery period, an ischemic necrosis in nail bed and distal phalanx of left thumb and a cellulitis on left forearm developed. She was succesfully treated with a 3-week antibiotic therapy and partial thumb amputation. Klimik Dergisi 2018; 31(3): 235-8.

Cite this article as: Karaşahin Ö, İba-Yılmaz S. [Soft tissue infection after antithyroid drug-associated agranulocytosis]. Klimik Derg. 2018; 31(3): 235-8. Turkish.