A Case of Thyroid Storm: Lessons Regarding the Use of Iodinated Contrast and Beta Blockers.

Presented here is a case of thyroid storm. Thyroid storm is a rare and life-threatening pathology that requires delicate management, even at presentation. Important nuances of care are discussed, including avoidance of iodinated contrast until a thionamide has been administered and proper selection of a beta-blocker. Regarding the administration of iodinated contrast, this case is particularly interesting because pulmonary embolism was on the differential, and CT angiography of the chest was circumvented. Acute heart failure, comorbid asthma, and the necessity for transport to a larger healthcare facility complicated the selection of a beta blocker.

A 'Natural' thyroid storm!

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: Over the counter supplements are often taken for granted during medication reconciliation in the emergency department. Supplements are not regulated by FDA, and some can be potentially dangerous. CASE SUMMARY: We report a case of thyrotoxicosis secondary to over the counter bovine thyroid supplements. Our patient presented with atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response refractory to calcium channel blockers. Had we not known about the supplement, the course of treatment would have been different with potential adverse outcome. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: Natural thyroid supplements are marketed as over the counter products and are largely unregulated. Thyroid extracts have been found to have disparaging inconsistencies in composition, delivering anywhere from non-existent to supratherapeutic doses. Thyroid supplements should be regulated considering the potential side effects.

A 46-Year-Old Woman With Dyspnea From an Inhalational Exposure, Triggering Thyroid Storm and Subsequent Multi-Organ System Failure.

BACKGROUND: Thyroid storm is a rare, life-threatening condition which arises in patients with thyrotoxicosis, with an annual incidence of 2 patients per 1,000,000 and a mortality rate of 11%. CASE: We present the case of a 46-year-old-female with a medical history of controlled mild intermittent asthma, who presented with a severe asthma exacerbation, that triggered thyroid storm after exposure to polyurethane fumes. CONCLUSION: This patient represents, to the best of our knowledge, the first patient in whom the stress related to a severe asthma attack triggered the development of thyroid storm. She also is the first patient with no indication of cardiac dysfunction who developed fatal cardiac arrest after initiation of b-blockade for treatment of thyroid storm.

Multiorgan dysfunction accompanied with metimazole and thyroid storm.

A 41-year-old man with a history of hyperthyroidism had been treated with methimazole and propranolol for the past 2 months. He developed multiorgan dysfunction with acute liver failure, severe lactic acidosis, disseminated intravascular coagulation, heart failure and acute pulmonary edema with rapid deterioration of renal function. The patient had no history of alcoholism, drug abuse, blood transfusion, or exposure to hepatitis A, B, or C. Extrahepatic obstruction was ruled out with an abdominal ultrasonogram. Serologic studies and immunologic tests were negative. This case illustrates the sudden and abrupt deterioration of multiorgan dysfunction due to antithyroid drug administration and thyroid storm. The thyroid storm score of Burch and Wartofsky was 90/140. The multiorgan dysfunction was reversed by discontinuation of the methimazole and treat with hemodialysis, steroids, cholestyramine, nonselective beta-blocker, fresh frozen plasma infusion and supportive management in the intensive care unit. The patient was discharged from the hospital with normal coagulation parameters, renal and liver function tests.

Lethal thyroid storm after uncontrolled intake of liothyronine in order to lose weight.

Thyroid hormones are sometimes used for purposes for which they are not approved. Reasons for off-label use can be overweight, prevailing depressive mood, or various somatic symptoms. Information about the intake of thyroid hormones in order to lose weight can be easily obtained from inappropriate/nonmedical websites. The objective of this case report is to describe the first case of a lethal abuse of liothyronine. The case was a 29-year-old male (BMI 32) without relevant illnesses. An autopsy was performed and followed by histological, toxicological, and clinical chemistry examinations. The autopsy revealed no relevant pathology. Histology showed multiple areas of focal cell necrosis in the myocardium and signs of acute heart failure including severe edema of the lungs; the follicles of the thyroid gland were markedly plump. Postmortem laboratory results indicated lethal liothyronine intoxication. Despite prevailing opinion, uncontrolled intake of liothyronine can cause lethal thyroid storm in a euthyroid patient without manifested cardiac illnesses.

[Complications due to contrast agent administration: what has been confirmed in prevention?]. / Komplikationen durch die Kontrastmittelgabe: Was ist gesichert in der Prävention?

Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have been evaluated by internists to be the most important medical innovations. Often, intravenous contrast agent administration is required for answering the clinical questions to CT and MRI. In this review we present an overview of the most common and most important aspects that need to be considered prior to intravenous contrast agent administration. We discuss aspects of renal impairment (contrast-induced nephropathy, nephrogenic systemic fibrosis), allergy-like reactions, hyperthyroidism, and pregnancy and breast-feeding.

Combination therapy of ipilimumab and nivolumab induced thyroid storm in a patient with Hashimoto's disease and diabetes mellitus: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Recently, immune checkpoint inhibitors have widely been used for the management of advanced melanoma. However, high-grade immune-related adverse events can occur, particularly with combination immunotherapy. We report a case of a patient with melanoma who developed thyroid storm following treatment with ipilimumab and nivolumab. CASE PRESENTATION: An 85-year-old Japanese man with a history of malignant melanoma presented to our department with severe thyrotoxicosis and poor blood glucose control. He was already being treated for Hashimoto's disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus before the treatment for the melanoma. During admission, laboratory investigations revealed the following thyroid functions: thyroid-stimulating hormone below sensitivity, free triiodothyronine 31.7 pg/ml, and thyroglobulin 48,000 IU/ml. Thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor antibody was negative, and a 99mTc-labeled thyroid scan revealed a markedly decreased uptake. He was treated with beta-blocker, orally administered potassium iodine, a relatively low dose of prednisolone, and insulin injection therapy to control his blood glucose, resulting in an improvement in thyroid function and his symptoms. CONCLUSION: It might be important to be aware of the possibility of thyroid storm induced by immune checkpoint inhibitors.

A rare case of thyroid storm.

Thyroid storm is a rare and life-threatening state of thyroid hormone excess. Rapid recognition of thyroid storm is key to decreasing the morbidity and mortality of this condition. Clinical manifestations of thyroid storm include unexplained weight loss, hyperactivity and irritability. The most common causes of thyrotoxicosis are Graves' disease, toxic multinodular goitre and toxic adenoma. We present a rare case of thyroid storm induced by dual nivolumab and ipilimumab immunotherapy in a patient receiving treatment for advanced melanoma. In this case, our patient was admitted for thyroid storm 1 month after initiating treatment with nivolumab and ipilimumab immunotherapy. The patient was treated with ß-blockers, antithyroid medications and systemic steroids resulting in an improvement in thyroid function testing and symptoms.

Informed Consent in Contrast-Enhanced CT: Understanding of Risks and Identification of Possible Prognostic Factors.

PURPOSE: Aim of our study was to assess understanding of risks associated with intravascular application of contrast media in patients undergoing CT examination. We wanted to evaluate epidemiologic and socio-economic prognostic factors for a higher understanding of risks. Additionally, we evaluated a possible correlation between an extensive, outcome-oriented oral informed consent and better understanding of risks. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 120 patients distributed in 2 study arms participated in this prospective study. In study arm I, the treating physician was not informed that his patients participated in a study whereas the physician in study arm II knew about the survey. After the informed consent we performed a standardized, semi-structured interview to enquire the 3 most frequent risks of intravascular application of contrast agents (anaphylactoid reactions, nephropathy and thyrotoxic crisis) and epidemiologic data. The understanding of the risks was evaluated using a 6 point scale. RESULTS: Patients scored 3.73 points in study arm I and 4.93 points in arm II on average. The statistical difference between both study arms was highly significant (p <0.001). In a combined logistic regression analysis, only "higher education" (p = 0.001) and participation in study arm II (p =0 .001) showed a significant connection to a better understanding of risks. CONCLUSION: Patients profit from an outcome-oriented and individualized informed consent. Due to the significant correlation between educational level and understanding of risks, informed consent should be adjusted to the educational status of the individual patient, e. g. by using didactic aids or individualized information sheets.

Postoperative thyroid storm after lithium preparation.

Lithium carbonate is a known antithyroid agent that acts primarily to inhibit the release of preformed thyroid hormone. Lithium was chosen for preoperative preparation in a noncompliant patient with Graves' Disease who was not able to tolerate any other antithyroid agents. Despite excellent preoperative control, postoperative thyroid storm developed. This is the first reported case of the use of lithium for preoperative preparation. Since it is possible that surgical manipulation caused the demonstrated release of preformed hormone and subsequent postoperative storm, caution in the sole use of this agent for preoperative preparation seems warranted.

Thyroidectomy in iodine induced thyrotoxic storm.

Between January 1996 and September 1997 we treated 4 patients with iodine-induced thyrotoxic storm (2 females, 2 men; age 54-77 years). Iodine contamination was due to iodine-containing contrast media in 3 patients and iodine-containing disinfectant in 1 patient. Thyroid storm with tachycardia, hypertension, sweating, tremor, weight loss and coma occured 3-10 weeks after iodine contamination. These symptoms were accompanied by raised fT4- and fT3-values. All 4 patients were initially treated with antithyroid drugs for 7 days, whereas 2 patients with coronary artery disease, demonstrated by coronary angio-graphy, were treated with antithyroid drugs for 2 weeks. Because of unsuccessful antithyroid drug treatment, all 4 patients underwent subtotal thyroidectomy. There were no perioperative complications. We conclude that early thyroidectomy is the appropriate treatment for iodine-induced thyrotoxicosis even in patients with severe accompanying diseases.

Case report: pseudoephedrine-associated thyroid storm: thyroid hormone-catecholamine interactions.

Thyroid storm is an increasingly rare, life-threatening manifestation of thyrotoxicosis that can be precipitated by many physiologic stressors. The exact mechanism by which thyrotoxicosis decompensates into thyroid storm in certain individuals is unknown. These individuals may have an enhanced cellular sensitivity to either catecholamines or thyroid hormone. Serum levels of catecholamines are usually low or normal in thyrotoxic individuals. Ingestion of sympathomimetic drugs in thyrotoxic individuals may precipitate thyroid storm. This article presents an unusual case of Graves' disease that decompensated into thyroid storm after the ingestion of an over-the-counter cold medication containing pseudoephedrine.

Thyroid storm induced by aspirin intoxication and the effect of hemodialysis: a case report.

Thyroid dysfunction is one of the serious consequences of an overdose of acetaminophen, aspirin, or nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs. The management of such consequences remains a medical challenge. A variety of thyroid abnormalities are common in clinical practice and can, in many cases, be accurately diagnosed and managed by the primary care physician. This case study covers an aspirin overdose causing thyroid storm that was treated successfully with hemodialysis.

[Subtotal thyroid resection in severe, iodine-induced hyperthyroidism]. / Die subtotale Schilddrüsenresektion bei schwerer, jodinduzierter Hyperthyreose.

Iodine-induced thyrotoxicosis due to iodine application in high amounts in patients with circumscript or disseminated thyroid autonomy, is complicated by a prolonged course, mainly due to a resistance to conservative therapy with thiourea derivates. We therefore decided to perform an early subtotal thyroidectomy in 24 thyrotoxic patients. This measure is in contrast to the common opinion that surgery should only be performed after normalization of thyroid hormones. In all 24 patients with severe hyperthyroidism, including three patients with thyroid storm, hormone levels decreased within a few days after surgery to normal or subnormal values and the clinical picture of thyrotoxicosis disappeared. In the case of thyroid storm the signs of disorientation normalized within 1-3 days. One patient died five weeks after surgery due to severe concomitant diseases. One patient exhibited transitory respiration distress and another had postoperative hypocalcemia. In 13 patients L-thyroxine replacement became necessary due to subclinical or clinical hypothyroidism. Surgery as a early treatment for thyrotoxicosis should be reserved for patients with severe illness where conservative treatment has been shown to be ineffective. In rare selected cases, when a rapid normalization is required, surgery without preoperative treatment seems to be justified. The effect of surgery was impressive in all our cases and there were only minor perioperative complications.

[Iodine-induced hyperthyroidism in urology caused by using roentgen contrast media. Risks and prevention]. / Jodinduzierte Hyperthyreose in der Urologie durch Anwendung von Röntgenkontrastmittel. Risiko und Prävention.

The presence of functionally autonomous portions of the thyroid is a precondition for the occurrence of iodine-induced hyperthyroidism after the administration of i.v. contrast media, in the form either of latent immunogenic hyperthyroidism (Basedow's disease) or of localized or diffuse autonomy. The normal thyroid can compensate an iodine excess in multiple ways. In the malfunctioning thyroid, however, autoregulation mechanisms may fail, resulting in complicated forms of hyperthyroidism. In Germany autonomy-correlated hyperthyroidism occurs much more often than in other countries in which sufficient alimentary iodine is present. Especially in elderly patients with long-standing nodular goitres, there is an elevated risk of iodine-induced hyperthyroidism arising from thyroidal autonomy. These cases may differ from those seen in younger patients. An existing hyperthyroidism may worsen dramatically after administration of contrast media. To prevent an iodine-induced thyrotoxic crisis, contrast media should only be given to patients with latent of manifest hyperthyroidism when vital indications are present, and then only after thyrostatics have been administered. To evaluate the morphology of the renal collecting system and ureter in these cases a retrograde rather than an intravenous pyelography should be performed. When this is combined with determination of serum creatinine and creatinine clearance, functional and morphological evaluation, respectively, of the upper urinary tract are possible.

Jod-Basedow effect due to prolonged use of lugol solution-case report.

Graves' disease is the most common form of hyperthyroidism, accounting for 60-80% of all cases of thyrotoxicosis. If left untreated, it may lead to severe thyrotoxicosis with cardiovascular, ocular, psychiatric complication, and in extreme cases thyrotoxic crisis with a high mortality rate. We present the case of a 50-years-old woman diagnosed in another service with Graves' disease and treated for many years with antithyroid drugs (ATDs), admitted to our service for a relapse due to treatment discontinuation. The surgical treatment was planned and the preoperative preparation with Lugol solution was initiated. Due to a misunderstanding, the administration of iodine solution was extended for a period of about 30 days, thus generating the so-called Jod-Basedow effect, with the exacerbation of the manifestations of thyrotoxicosis and risk of thyroid storm. The patient received treatment with high ATDs doses, glucocorticoids, and beta-blockers, resulting in the progressive improvement of symptoms. She was discharged from hospital and given the risk of thyrotoxic crisis the surgery was postponed. After a month, the patient underwent thyroidectomy without preoperative preparation with iodine solution. The operative and postoperative courses were uneventful.

In the eye of the storm: iodinated contrast medium induced thyroid storm presenting as cardiopulmonary arrest.

The administration of iodinated contrast medium may lead to excess free thyroid hormone release and cause thyroid storm. A woman presented to the emergency department with dyspnea, hemoptysis, and intermittent bilateral lower extremities edema. Physical examination revealed mildly enlarged thyroid. Patient underwent a computed tomography scan of the chest with intravenous iodinated contrast medium to rule out pulmonary embolism, the patient developed a thyroid storm second to iodinated contrast medium injection. Proper treatment was provided and the patient had a good outcome. We present this case of an unusual presentation of a thyroid storm with cardiac arrest. This case illustrates that evaluating thyroid function tests in patients with an enlarged thyroid prior to the administration of iodinated contrast medium could prevent the development of thyroid storm.