Emergency surgery complicated by thyrotoxicosis and thyrotoxic periodic paralysis

Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis and anesthesia report of a case and literature review

Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis (TPP) is a disease characterized by recurrent episodes of paralysis and hypokalemia during a thyrotoxic state. The disease primarily affects people of Asian descent, but can affect other ethnic groups. In Asians, the symptoms of thyrotoxicosis are distinct and usually precede the first paralytic episode, whereas in non-Asian populations, paralysis is the presenting symptom. If TPP has not been diagnosed and the patient has a surgical procedure during general or regional anesthesia, symptoms of the disease may be confused with other adverse perioperative events such as delayed recovery from neuromuscular paralysis. No specific anesthetic regimen is superior. Current TTP treatment recommendations involve treating the underlying hyperthyroid state. Other modalities such as beta-blockade and potassium replacement are also important in the acute paralytic state. Future diagnostic and treatment innovations may lie in the genetic and molecular understanding of this disease. We present a case of an Asian male with known TPP undergoing general anesthesia, a brief case series involving 5 patients, and a review of the literature.

Spinal anesthesia for emergency abdominal surgery in uncontrolled hyperthyroidism

Patients with uncontrolled hyperthyroidism presenting as an emergency are at considerable risk. The anesthetic management of a thyrotoxic patient undergoing incidental emergency surgery is discussed. We focus on the intraoperative problems and, above all, postoperative pain management with regional anesthesia.

Thyroid storm as a cause of loss of consciousness following anaesthesia for emergency caesarean section

A previously undiagnosed thyrotoxic patient was anaesthetised for an emergency Caesarean section. The recovery period was complicated by an acute thyroid crisis resulting in loss of consciousness following an apparently normal recovery from general anaesthesia.

Thyroid emergencies

Thyroid storm is a rapid decompensation of severe hyperthyroidism which can best be described by the three criteria of hyperthermia, tachycardia and altered mental state with severe agitation. There has to be a precipitating factor such as infection, iodine contamination, surgery or even I-131 treatment. Severe hyperthyroidism not fulfilling the criteria of thyroid storm can also be an indication for emergency treatment, particularly in the elderly with heart disease. Suppressed serum TSH and elevated free T4 levels are essential to confirm the diagnosis. When rapidly available, radioiodine uptake of the thyroid can be useful. Therapy aims at rapidly reducing the active circulating hormone pool, hypermetabolic state, tachycardia, and finally hormone synthesis. Thyroid secretion can be blocked by ioipanoic acid or ipodate while hypermetabolic state can be reduced with beta-blockers or calcium channel-blockers. Treatment of hyperthyroidism in patients with iodine contamination is a real therapeutic challenge. Myxoedema coma, a complication of severe hypothyroidism, is defined by hypothermia (rectal temperature less than 36 degrees C), bradycardia, slow mentation, precipitating factor such as infection or drug overdose, and increased serum creatine phosphokinase levels. Diagnosis of severe hypothyroidism should be confirmed by serum measurements of TSH and free T4. Treatment consists of general supporting measures including rewarming, correction of serum electrolyte disturbances, and adequate alimentation. Thyroid hormone treatment should initially be aggressive using either 300-400 micrograms of T4 or 20-40 micrograms of T3 intravenously. Cortisone therapy may be added. Patients should be under close monitoring as arrhythmias and myocardial infarction are frequent complications of myxoedema coma and/or its treatment with thyroid hormones.