| CASE REPORT |
|
| Year : 2020 | Volume
: 2
| Issue : 2 | Page : 41-45 |
|
|
Postoperative Myxedema Coma: A Rare Presentation of Hypothyroidism
Mafdy N Basta
Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
Correspondence Address:
Dr. Mafdy N Basta
Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, 1120 15th Street, Augusta, GA 30912
USA
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/jtccm.jtccm_13_20
|
|
|
Myxedema coma is a rare life-threatening form of severe hypothyroidism with physiological decompensation. It occurs as a result of long-standing, undiagnosed, or undertreated hypothyroidism and is usually precipitated by an acute event similar to infection, cerebrovascular accident, myocardial infarction, trauma, cold exposure, surgery, or drug therapy. Patients with myxedema coma are generally severely ill with hypothermia and depressed mental status. It is a medical emergency with a high mortality rate. If the diagnosis is suspected, immediate management is necessary before confirming the diagnosis. Patients with myxedema coma should be treated in an intensive care unit with continuous cardiac monitoring. Initial steps in management include airway management, thyroid hormone replacement, glucocorticoid therapy, and supportive measures. Fortunately, it is now a rare presentation of hypothyroidism, likely due to earlier diagnosis as a result of the widespread availability of thyroid-stimulating hormone assays. The following presentation is a case of postoperative myxedema coma that was successfully managed with multidisciplinary effort. The patient has had a complete recovery.
|
|
|
|
| [FULL TEXT] [PDF]* |
|
 |
|
