8238 Thyroidectomy for Thyroid Storm Complicated by Drug-Induced Hepatotoxicity and Thyrotoxic Cardiopulmonary Disease

Abstract

Abstract Disclosure: T.A. John: None. A.C. Suarez: None. J. Genkil: None. S. Patil: None. C. Anastasopoulou: None. Case Presentation: A 59-year-old female with hypertension and type 2 diabetes presented with palpitations, and several months of hyperthyroid symptoms, lower extremity swelling, and dyspnea on exertion. On presentation, patient was diaphoretic, tachycardic, volume overloaded and had symmetric swelling of the thyroid gland. Lab results revealed FT4 3.28 ng/dL, total T3 384.59 ng/dL, TSH < 0.01 µIU/mland elevated TSI. Electrocardiogram showed sinus tachycardia. Chest radiography showed pulmonary edema. Echocardiography showed a reduced ejection fraction of 35%, dilation of right ventricle, severe mitral and tricuspid regurgitation, and severely elevated pulmonary artery systolic pressure (55-60 mm Hg). Thyroid ultrasound revealed enlarged, heterogeneous thyroid gland with normal vascularity. The diagnosis of thyroid storm due to Graves' disease was made with a score of 50 on the Burch-Wartofsky Point Scale. Patient was started on propylthiouracil (PTU), metoprolol tartrate and furosemide. Corticosteroid therapy was not utilized due to the risk of worsening heart failure from sodium retention. After two days of PTU, patient developed drug induced liver injury (DILI). Patient was then transitioned to methimazole which was also discontinued thereafter due to progression of DILI. She was started on potassium iodide to suppress thyroid hormone production, and N-Acetyl cysteine (NAC) for DILI. Due to persistent thyrotoxicosis, the patient underwent a total thyroidectomy on hospital day 13 and was started on levothyroxine for post-surgical hypothyroidism. Liver function returned to normal on day 16. A surveillance echocardiogram obtained 3 months later showed recovered biventricular function (ejection fraction 55-60%), mild mitral and tricuspid regurgitation and normal pulmonary pressures. Educational value: Thyroid storm is an uncommon, life-threatening emergency. Thioamides remain the cornerstone of treatment, but rarely, they can result in adverse events such as hepatotoxicity. When thioamides are contraindicated, other agents (e.g., iodine, lithium, potassium perchlorate, cholestyramine, glucocorticoids) can be utilized; however, refractory cases might require total thyroidectomy as definitive treatments. Our patient had marked recovery of cardiac function and resolution of pulmonary hypertension and DILI after timely surgical intervention. Multidisciplinary care is pivotal for the successful management of thyroid storm. Presentation: 6/3/2024