Anesth Pain Med.  2015 Jan;10(1):57-60. 10.17085/apm.2015.10.1.57.

Thyrotoxic storm diagnosed due to postoperative tachycardia: A case report

• Lee SA
• Kim SH
• Lee SD
• Yoon SJ
• Kim JH

• KMID: 2148060
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.17085/apm.2015.10.1.57

Abstract

Thyrotoxic storm is an extreme state of thyrotoxicosis and a medical emergency. The clinical presentation of thyrotoxic storm includes tachycardia, fever, organ effect of central nervous system, cardiovascular system, and gastrointestinal system dysfunction. It usually occurs in patients with untreated or partially treated Graves' disease. Although it is rare, its mortality rate has reached 10-20%. There are no specific tests for establishing the diagnosis; it can only be diagnosed based on the clinical expression and laboratory results. Rapid diagnosis and treatment are necessary when it unexpectedly occurs during the perioperative period. We report a case of unnoticed hyperthyroidism that was diagnosed due to thyrotoxic storm-induced tachycardia in the post anesthesia care unit.

Keyword

Hyperthyroidism; Liver transplantation; Living donors; Thyroid crisis

MeSH Terms

Anesthesia
Cardiovascular System
Central Nervous System
Diagnosis
Emergencies
Fever
Graves Disease
Humans
Hyperthyroidism
Liver Transplantation
Living Donors
Mortality
Perioperative Period
Tachycardia*
Thyroid Crisis*
Thyrotoxicosis