Abdominal pain and multi-organ dysfunction syndrome in a young woman

Am J Med Sci. 2007 Nov;334(5):399-401. doi: 10.1097/MAJ.0b013e3180a7268b.

Abstract

Thyroid storm is a rare but life-threatening condition caused by exaggerated thyrotoxic manifestations. Untreated thyroid storm is fatal, and the case fatality rate is 21% to 30%. The most important clinical management in thyroid storm is early recognition and treatment. We present the case of a previously healthy young woman in whom suspected gastrointestinal tract sepsis complicated by multi-organ dysfunction syndrome masked the major symptomatology of thyroid storm. This patient highlights the importance of a high clinical suspicion for potentially life-threatening conditions, such as thyroid storm, even in the absence of clinical clues (exophthalmos, lid lag, and goiter) or a history of thyrotoxicosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Pain / etiology*
  • Adult
  • Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antithyroid Agents / therapeutic use
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hydrocortisone / therapeutic use
  • Multiple Organ Failure / etiology*
  • Propranolol / therapeutic use
  • Propylthiouracil / therapeutic use
  • Thyroid Crisis / complications*
  • Thyroid Crisis / diagnosis*

Substances

  • Anti-Arrhythmia Agents
  • Antithyroid Agents
  • Propylthiouracil
  • Propranolol
  • Hydrocortisone