UNEXPLAINED DELIRIUM : THINK OF THYROID STORM

Abstract

Background: Thyroid storm is a life-threatening Endocrine emergency with an incidence rate of 1% to 2% all over the world. It is a systemic condition leading to increased production of Thyroid Hormone and its release leading to Thermoregulatory, Adrenergic, Neuropsychiatric, Cardiovascular, and Abdominal Manifestations. Thyroid storm with Malignant Arrhythmia and delirium both together is rare entity, but the mortality rate is very high. The presentation of Malignant Arrhythmias and delirium together in the initial phase of the disease is much less common with only a few isolated cases described in the scientic literature. Objective: To present a case in which a patient had two simultaneous complication of thyroid storm i.e. delirium and ventricular tachycardia. Case Study: We report a 65 years-year-old man who came with complaints of Diarrhea, Fever, Breathlessness and psychosis. His serum tsh was <0.015 and anti tpo antibodies was 83. He was diagnosed to be in Thyroid storm and later had complications including Ventricular Tachycardia and delirium in an undiagnosed case of Hyperthyroidism. He was started on anti thyroid medication and slowly as his condition improved he was discharged. Conclusion: Patients with Thyrotoxicosis need to be closely monitored for complications since its early diagnosis and treatment may save lives.