Molar pregnancy-induced thyroid storm.
BACKGROUND
Molar pregnancy is a rare form of pregnancy, affecting approximately 1 in 1000 pregnancies in the United States. Hyperthyroidism is a rare complication of molar pregnancy; thyroid storm occurs even less frequently.


OBJECTIVE
To discuss a rare cause of thyroid storm in a woman of reproductive age.


METHODS
A 17-year-old girl presented to a community hospital's Emergency Department (ED) after experiencing 1 week of palpitations and tachycardia. The tachycardia partially responded to administration of calcium channel blockers and beta-blockers. The patient was transferred to a tertiary care center for further evaluation. At the tertiary center, pregnancy was confirmed, thyroid storm was diagnosed, and ultrasound examination yielded a snowstorm image, indicating a molar pregnancy. The patient was admitted to the intensive care unit for management. Dilatation and curettage resolved her symptoms, and after a 9-day hospital stay, she was discharged home on atenolol therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Thyroid storm induced by gestational trophoblastic disease should be considered in any woman of childbearing age who presents with symptoms suggestive of hyperthyroidism.
Moskovitz
Joshua B
JB
Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, USA.
Bond
Michael C
MC
D000293:Adolescent; D004107:Dilatation and Curettage; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006828:Hydatidiform Mole / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D011247:Pregnancy; D013958:Thyroid Crisis / Q000209:etiology*; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery