Photo Rounds

New-onset hirsutism

Author and Disclosure Information

This postmenopausal patient developed hirsutism following a surgical procedure. Thorough lab work directed us to the unusual cause.


 

References

A 74-year-old woman presented to the dermatology clinic for follow-up 3 months after the surgical excision of a basal cell carcinoma on her left jawline. During this postop period, the patient developed new-onset hirsutism. She appeared to be in otherwise good health.

Family and personal medical history were unremarkable. Her medication regimen included aspirin 81 mg/d and a daily multivitamin. The patient was postmenopausal and had a body mass index of 28 and a history of acid reflux and osteoarthritis.

Physical examination of the patient’s scalp showed male-pattern alopecia (FIGURE 1A). She also had coarse terminal hairs on her forearms and back, as well as on her chin (FIGURE 1B).

Virilization with male-pattern balding and coarse terminal hairs of the chin

WHAT IS YOUR DIAGNOSIS?
HOW WOULD YOU TREAT THIS PATIENT?

Pages

Recommended Reading

How to refine your approach to peripheral arterial disease
MDedge Family Medicine
Breaking the cycle of medication overuse headache
MDedge Family Medicine