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Thigh of a man with hypothyroidism and statin-associated rhabdomyolysis (MRI)

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Axial T2-weighted MRI of the left thigh in a 76-year-old man with hypothyroidism and statin-associated rhabdomyolysis. The MRI shows a diffuse hyperintense signal throughout the thigh musculature (black arrows), consistent with extensive muscular edema. There is also subcutaneous and interfascial edema, without evidence of myonecrosis or abscess formation. These findings are characteristic of severe myositis or rhabdomyolysis. (From: Bechir G, Bechir A. The hidden hazard of hypothyroidism: statin-associated rhabdomyolysis with life-threatening complications. Cureus 2025;17[6]:e85506. Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International [CC BY 4.0] license, creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0.)

Note that hypothyroidism may increase the risk of statin-induced muscle injury by impairing muscle oxidative metabolism, weakening membrane integrity, and potentially reducing hepatic statin clearance via cytochrome P450 downregulation. (From: Peringat J, Manappallil RG, Karadan U. Rhabdomyolysis: a rare complication of Hashimoto's thyroiditis precipitated by statin therapy. BMJ Case Rep 2018;2018:bcr2017223229.)