Thyroid hemorrhage causing airway obstruction after intravenous thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke

Traumatic hemorrhage of the thyroid as a work-related injury: a case report and review of the literature

Traumatic hemorrhage of the thyroid gland resulting from blunt injury to the neck is a very rare event. Particular neck positions can expose the thyroid to trauma, especially in motor vehicle collisions, falls, direct blows, or sport activities. Preexisting conditions such as goiters, adenomas, and cysts can increase the risk of bleeding, reducing the force required to rupture the gland and make the thyroid more prone to injury. The authors report the case of a 53-year-old man who was involved in a fire while working on maintenance of a liquid petroleum gas (LPG)-powered car. He subsequently presented to the emergency department with painful swelling of his right anterior neck with a palpable mass. CT scan showed a right thyroid hemorrhagic cyst. The worker reported that he had jumped into the car trunk to extinguish the fire and covered the gas tank nozzle with his own body to prevent dispersal of the accelerant. In this case, the medico-legal evaluation was useful to delineate between natural and traumatic causes of the injury. Medico-legal assessment is key in understanding the dynamics involved in work-related events to identify any legal responsibilities of the worker or the employer.

Prognostic value of subclinical thyroid dysfunction in ischemic stroke patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis

Data regarding the association between subclinical thyroid dysfunction and clinical outcomes in ischemic stroke patients with intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) are limited. We aimed to investigate the predictive value of subclinical thyroid dysfunction in END, functional outcome and mortality at 3 months among IVT patients. We prospectively recruited 563 IVT patients from 5 stroke centers in China. Thyroid function status was classified as subclinical hypothyroidism, subclinical hyperthyroidism (SHyper) and euthyroidism. The primary outcome was END, defined as ≥ 4 point in the NIHSS score within 24 h after IVT. Secondary outcomes included 3-month functional outcome and mortality. Of the 563 participants, END occurred in 14.7%, poor outcome in 50.8%, and mortality in 9.4%. SHyper was an independent predictor of END [odd ratio (OR), 4.35; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.86–9.68, P = 0.003], 3-month poor outcome (OR, 3.24; 95% CI, 1.43–7.33, P = 0.005) and mortality [hazard ratio, 2.78; 95% CI, 1.55–5.36, P = 0.003]. Subgroup analysis showed that there was no significant relationship between SHyper and clinical outcomes in IVT patients with endovascular therapy. In summary, SHyper is associated with increased risk of END, and poor outcome and mortality at 3 months in IVT patients without endovascular therapy.

Acute diffuse and transient thyroid swelling after intravenous thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke: A case report

RATIONALE

Intravenous thrombolysis is the primary therapy for acute ischemic stroke (AIS), but it has some complications, including symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, orolingual angioedema, and extracranial bleeding. However, thyroid disorders associated with thrombolysis are very rare.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 56-year-old man developed acute pain and neck swelling after thrombolysis with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator.

DIAGNOSES

Ultrasound revealed a diffusely enlarged thyroid with linear hypoechoic areas throughout the entire gland, resembling a "cracked" appearance.

INTERVENTIONS

The patient was treated conservatively with cold packs and observed closely. Follow-up ultrasound was made.

OUTCOMES

A few hours later, pain and swelling disappeared completely. A repeat ultrasound revealed complete recovery of thyroid volume and aspect on the next day.

LESSONS

After intravenous thrombolysis for AIS, several life-threatening complications, such as hemorrhage and orolingual angiedema, also can cause neck swelling. Urgent intubation and surgery may be required. However, the rare complication, acute diffuse thyroid swelling, is self-limiting and nonfatal and conservative treatment is sufficient. Neck ultrasound is helpful in rapidly distinguishing these complications.

Spontaneous Thyroid Hemorrhage on Chronic Anticoagulation Therapy

Even though highly vascularized, the thyroid gland rarely has spontaneous bleeding. Bleeding into the thyroid gland can result in potentially lethal acute airway compromise. This case report describes an elderly patient on warfarin for atrial fibrillation, who presented with swelling on the right side of her neck causing acute airway obstruction. An urgent computed tomography of the neck showed an enlarging hemorrhage into the right lobe of the thyroid gland. She was initially intubated for airway protection and her anticoagulation was reversed to stop the bleeding. She was closely monitored in the intensive care unit. After an uncomplicated tracheal extubation and recovery, she was discharged and scheduled for an elective total thyroidectomy. We desire that physicians be aware of this rare, potentially lethal bleeding complication.

Syncope in a patient with spontaneous hemorrhage into a thyroid nodule

BACKGROUND

Spontaneous hemorrhage into a thyroid nodule occurs exceedingly rare and rarely a neck hematoma can develop. We report a case of syncope due to spontaneous hemorrhage into a thyroid nodule during anticoagulant and antithrombotic therapy.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 64-year-old man was transferred to the emergency department of our hospital because of syncope. His physical examination revealed a 7 x 5 cm hard and painless mass at the left neck region. The neck MRI confirmed a heterogeneous, hyperintense mass in the left lobe of thyroid compressing the trachea and left common carotid artery, internal jugular vein, and vagus nerve bundle. He did not require a surgery in the follow-up. As the hematoma underwent subtotal shrinkage, he remained well without syncope.

CONCLUSION

Hemorrhage into a thyroid nodule should always be considered in patients presenting with neurally mediated syncope.