Complete recovery after severe myxoedema coma complicated by status epilepticus

BMJ Case Rep. 2015 Mar 25:2015:bcr2014209071. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2014-209071.

Abstract

We report a case of life-threatening myxoedema presenting with hypothermia, hypotension, bradycardia, pericardial effusion and deep coma. The condition was complicated by prolonged status epilepticus. The optimal treatment strategy has been debated over the years and the literature is briefly reviewed. Treatment with l-thyroxine (LT4) monotherapy without initial loading dose and with no l-triiodothyronine (LT3) treatment was successful with full recovery after hospitalisation for more than a month. Myxoedema coma is a rare, reversible condition with a high mortality and should be considered as a differential diagnosis in medical emergencies.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Coma / physiopathology
  • Coma / therapy*
  • Critical Care
  • Female
  • Glasgow Coma Scale
  • Humans
  • Hypotension
  • Hypothermia
  • Myxedema / diagnosis*
  • Myxedema / physiopathology
  • Myxedema / therapy
  • Status Epilepticus / complications*
  • Status Epilepticus / physiopathology
  • Thyroid Hormones / therapeutic use*
  • Thyroxine / therapeutic use*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Thyroid Hormones
  • Thyroxine