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.
Yoshida
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Emergency Services, San Francisco General Hospital, University of California San Francisco, USA.
D000328:Adult; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000150:complications*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006111:Graves Disease / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D019838:Neck Injuries; D011193:Potassium Iodide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011441:Propylthiouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013958:Thyroid Crisis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D014754:Violence
D011193:Potassium Iodide; D011441:Propylthiouracil; D003907:Dexamethasone