1/4. Gestational thyrotoxicosis with acute wernicke encephalopathy: a case report.A 35-year-old hyperthyroid woman who developed nausea, vomiting, tachycardia, nystagmus and mental disturbance, was referred to our hospital with a suspected diagnosis of thyroid storm. However, the thyroid gland was only slightly palpable, bruits were not audible, and exophthalmos was not present. serum levels of thyroid hormone were increased, but TSH receptor antibodies were negative. Echography and color flow doppler ultrasonography revealed a slightly enlarged thyroid gland and a slightly increased blood flow, both of which were much less milder than those expected for severe hyperthyroid Graves' disease. Under the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism due to gestational thyrotoxicosis associated with wernicke encephalopathy, vitamin B1 was administered on the first day of admission. Her consciousness became nearly normal on the second day except for slight amnesia. Her right abducent nerve palsy rapidly improved, but horizontal and vertical nystagmus, diminished deep tendon reflexes and gait ataxia improved only gradually. MRI findings of the brain were compatible with acute wernicke encephalopathy. We concluded that history taking and physical findings are important to make a differential diagnosis of gestational thyrotoxicosis with acute wernicke encephalopathy from Graves' thyroid storm, and that wernicke encephalopathy should be treated as soon as possible to improve the prognosis.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/4. Thyroid storm as precipitating factor in onset of coma in an elderly woman: case report and literature review.Thyroid storm is an uncommon but life-threatening manifestation of hyperthyroidism which, unless appropriately treated by combined therapy, causes 30-60% of deaths in hospitalized patients. Mental deterioration leading to apathy and eventually coma is a rare clinical presentation of this pathology, frequently observed in the elderly. We present the case of a 77-year-old hypertensive woman who was hospitalized for fast onset of coma, probably due to the unusual combination of a hypernatremic hyperosmolar state and an unexpected thyroid storm (TS). Although not definitely ascertained, the possible etiology was the hyperthyroid phase of chronic autoimmune thyreopathy (Hashitoxicosis). Notably, the significant adjunctive role of thyroid hyperfunction in the pathogenesis of coma was confirmed by the fact that, although metabolic abnormalities were overcome, complete and satisfactory recovery of the patient's mental and physical condition occurred only with normalization of thyroid hormones by antithyroid treatment. Our case highlights the importance of properly evaluating thyroid function in elderly patients who show a sudden progressive impairment in their mental condition, for early detection of potentially fatal conditions such as thyroid storm or myxedematous coma.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/4. Thyroid storm precipitated by trauma.A 21-year-old woman presented to the emergency department complaining of head, neck, and abdominal pain after being assaulted. She denied a previous history or significant symptoms of hyperthyroidism. The physical examination was remarkable for lethargy, low-grade fever, tachycardia, facial abrasions, swelling of the anterior neck, and a tremor. A diagnosis of thyroid storm was made. An extensive work up excluded other causes of the patient's tachycardia, altered mental status, and neck swelling. A review of the clinical features and management of thyroid storm is presented. Relatively minor trauma can be a precipitating event for thyroid storm.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 13.116357489246keywords = physical examination, physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/4. adolescent female patient with shock unresponsive to usual resuscitative therapy.Thyroid storm (thyroid crisis) is a rare and serious complication of thyrotoxicosis with a significant mortality rate if left untreated. Early recognition of the syndrome with a thorough history and physical examination is therefore essential. The exact mechanism for this decompensation is unknown; however, many physiologic stressors can precipitate the crisis. This report describes an unusual case of a previously unrecognized thyrotoxicosis developing into a storm in a pediatric patient manifesting as refractory shock.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 13.116357489246keywords = physical examination, physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |