Rescue pre-operative treatment with Lugol's solution in uncontrolled Graves' disease

Surgical outcome after thyroidectomy due to Graves' disease and Lugol iodine treatment: a retrospective register-based cohort study

PURPOSE

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between Lugol iodine treatment in a rescue setting and surgical outcomes in Graves' disease patients.

METHODS

The retrospective register-based cohort study included 813 patients who had undergone primary total thyroidectomy with a primary diagnosis of Graves' disease (ICD-code E05.0) at Karolinska University Hospital in Stockholm, Sweden, between January 2008 and December 2015. Of 813 patients, 33 (4.1%) were given Lugol iodine before surgery and the remaining, the non-Lugol group, did not. The study's primary outcomes were post-operative calcium treatment day 1, calcium and vitamin D supplements at discharge and follow-up. Secondary outcomes were laryngeal nerve damage and bleeding (defined as re-operation).

RESULTS

Differences were found between the Lugol and non-Lugol groups in the treatment of calcium day 1 (45.5% vs 26.7%, p = 0.018), at discharge (36.4% vs. 16.2%, p = 0.002) and vitamin D supplements at discharge (36.4% vs. 19.1%, p = 0.015) as surrogate variables for hypocalcemia post-operatively. No differences could be seen at 4-6 weeks and six-months follow-up. There were no differences between the Lugol and non-Lugol groups in terms of operation time, laryngeal nerve damage, and bleeding.

CONCLUSION

Patients in our cohort undergoing thyroidectomy due to Graves' disease pre-operatively treated with Lugol iodine as a rescue therapy had a higher risk of experiencing short term post-operative hypocalcemia.

Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis Secondary to Iodine Versus Methimazole in a Pediatric Patient With Complex Autoimmune Disease

We report a case of a 17-year-old girl who developed toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) secondary to preoperative iodine administration before thyroidectomy for Graves' disease. Past medical history was significant for COVID-19 and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in Children (MISC-C), with subsequent diagnoses of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), Addison disease, and Graves' disease. Her Graves disease was initially managed with methimazole. While there are reported cases of Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and TEN due to methimazole, the patient had discontinued methimazole over one month prior. Therefore, she likely represents the first case of TEN reported secondary to potassium iodide solution in a pediatric patient. Given the rarity of TEN in pediatric patients, our case highlights the challenges in managing complex autoimmune conditions and underscores the importance of careful medication choices in such cases.

Preoperative preparation for Graves' disease

Thyroidectomy is always regarded as the crucial treatment for Graves' disease, especially in cases of poor efficacy or excessive side effects of antithyroid- drugs and 131I radioiodine therapy. To decrease the incidence of hemorrhage, thyroid storms and other severe complications during the perioperative period, surgeons explore different therapies to prepare for thyroidectomy. We performed a review of preoperative preparation with a focus on the Graves' disease population. Most of the previous schemes are effective, which contributes to the smooth operation of patients, but there is no unified standard for preoperative preparation. This review aims to summarize the preoperative preparation of Graves' disease and the latest developments. Prospective studies with longer follow up-up periods are required to select appropriate preoperative regimens based on personal thyroid statements and to identify target populations of benefit.

Effect of Lugol's solution on 131I therapy efficacy in Graves' disease

PURPOSE

Lugol's solution could control thyroid function and suppress ¹³¹I uptake in hyperthyroidism. This study aimed to investigate the appropriate time to withdraw Lugol's solution before ¹³¹I therapy (RIT) in Graves' disease (GD) patients, and how this should influence ¹³¹I uptake and RIT outcome.

METHODS

Two groups (125 cases and 1805 cases) of GD patients received RIT, who were pre-treated with and without Lugol's solution (RI-CI group and RI group). The RI-CI group was further divided into the following sub-groups depending on the duration span between Lugol's solution withdrawal and RIT: sub-group A, 4-7 d (n = 49); sub-group B, 8-14 d (n = 41); and sub-group C, 15-30 d (n = 35). The highest radioactive iodine uptake rate (RAIU_max), effective half-life (T_eff), TRAb, and free triiodothyronine (FT₃) and free thyroxine (FT₄) levels were compared, and therapeutic outcome was evaluated.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in RAIU_max, TRAb, and T_eff among the four sub-groups (P > 0.05). Both FT₃ and FT₄ levels in sub-groups A and B were lower than those in group RI and sub-group C (P < 0.05). The outcome of non-hyperthyroidism (euthyroidism + hypothyroidism) in groups RI-CI and RI was significantly different at post-RIT month 1 and 3 (P < 0.05). However, intergroup differences at 6 and 12 months were not significant (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Withdrawal of Lugol's solution 4-7 or 8-14 d before RIT does not influence ¹³¹I uptake and RIT efficacy in GD. Moreover, in order to avoid a rapid increase in thyroid hormone levels at the same time, Lugol's solution should be withdrawn 4-7 d before RIT.

Use of Adjunctive Therapy to Achieve Preoperative Euthyroidism in Graves' Disease: A Case Report

BACKGROUND Graves' disease is an autoimmune disease of the thyroid gland and it is considered the most common cause of hyperthyroidism. It is characterized by particular eye manifestations, skin changes, and pretibial myxedema in addition to the signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism. Graves' disease can be diagnosed based on clinical presentation and low thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and elevated free T4 (FT4) levels. Presence of TSH receptor antibody (TRAb) in the serum confirms the diagnosis of Graves' disease. Imaging studies like radioactive iodine scan will show a high and diffuse uptake. Graves' disease can be managed with three different treatment modalities: antithyroid medications, radioactive iodine, or surgical removal of the thyroid gland. Whenever surgery is indicated, careful preoperative management to achieve euthyroidism is needed to optimize the surgical outcome. CASE REPORT This is a case of a 37-year-old Saudi male known to have Graves' disease for 2 years who presented to the endocrine surgery clinic with neck swelling, difficulty breathing, and change in voice. After multiple attempts to control his fluctuating thyroid levels, the team eventually managed to achieve a euthyroid state in the patient with the addition of saturated solution of potassium iodide (SSKI), and thus rendering him eligible for urgent surgery. CONCLUSIONS We report this case to show that SSKI can be used as adjunctive therapy to achieve a preoperative euthyroid state in refractory Graves' disease.

Severe Neutropenia and Agranulocytosis Related to Antithyroid Drugs: A Study of 30 Cases Managed in A Single Reference Center

BACKGROUND

The most important series devoted to antithyroid drug-induced severe neutropenia and agranulocytosis are Japanese studies, almost specifically in relation to the intake of methimazole. The clinical data of 30 Caucasian patients followed up for antithyroid drug-induced neutropenia at a third-level hospital are reported. Methods: The data of 30 patients with idiosyncratic antithyroid drug-induced neutropenia and agranulocytosis from a cohort study on drug-induced neutropenia and agranulocytosis conducted at the University Hospital of Strasbourg (France) were retrospectively reviewed. Results: The mean patient age was 61.7 years old (range: 20-87), and the gender ratio (F/M) was 4. Several comorbidities were reported in 23 patients (76.7%), with the mean Charlson comorbidity index of 1. The causative drugs were carbimazole and benzylthiouracil, in 28 (93.3%) and 2 cases, respectively, prescribed primarily for multi-hetero-nodular goiter or thyroid nodule to 18 patients (60%). Sore throat and acute tonsillitis (40%), isolated fever (20%), septicemia (13.3%), documented pneumonia (6.7%), and septic shock (6.7%) were the main clinical features upon admission. The mean neutrophil count at nadir was 0.02 and 0 × 109/L (range: 0-0.3). Regarding the patients' hospital course: 13 cases (43.3%) worsened during hospitalization, severe sepsis was found in 26.7%, systemic inflammatory response syndrome-in 13.3%, and septic shock-in 3.3% of the cases, respectively. Broad-spectrum antibiotics were indicated for all the patients, and 21 (73.3%) of them received hematopoietic growth factors. Hematological recovery (neutrophil count ≥ 1.5 × 109/L) was seen at 8.3 days (range: 2-24), but faster in those receiving hematopoietic growth factors (4.9 days, p = 0.046). Two patients died during hospitalization, and the rest had a favorable clinical outcome. Conclusions: Antithyroid drug-induced neutropenia represents a serious complication resulting from the rates of severe infections especially in those cases severe neutropenia. In this setting, an established procedure for the management of patients seems useful or even indispensable in view of potential mortality.

Biocompatible Iodine-Starch-Alginate Hydrogel for Tumor Photothermal Therapy

Photothermal therapy (PTT) with the advantages of high efficiency and minimal invasiveness is a promising technique for tumor therapy, but clinical application of PTT agents has been stifled by the great safety concerns. Herein, a deep blue iodine-starch-alginate (ALG) hydrogel is elegantly fabricated based on the classic and simple "iodine-starch test" for in vivo tumor PTT in a facile and mild way. The iodine-starch-ALG hydrogel composed of clinically used agents is fabricated by dispersing blue iodine-starch complex into alginate-Ca²⁺ hydrogel, which guarantees the good chemical stability of iodine-starch complex via separating them from surrounding reductive environment. The iodine-starch-ALG hydrogel possesses favorable biocompatibility derived from the biosafe and degradable components and possesses good photothermal heating ability based on iodine-starch chromophore. The proposed iodine-starch-ALG hydrogel is successfully applied in tumor PTT in vitro and in vivo for the first time. This work lays down a novel way for the development of high-performance and biocompatible biomaterials via teaching old drugs new tricks.

Effects of Preoperative Iodine Administration on Thyroidectomy for Hyperthyroidism: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

The current guidelines recommend that potassium iodide be given in the immediate preoperative period for patients with Graves' disease who are undergoing thyroidectomy. Nonetheless, the evidence behind this recommendation is tenuous. The purpose of this study is to clarify the benefits of preoperative iodine administration from published comparative studies.

DATA SOURCES

We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and CINAHL from 1980 to June 2018.

REVIEW METHODS

Studies were included that compared preoperative iodine administration and no premedication before thyroidectomy. For the meta-analysis, studies were pooled with the random-effects model.

RESULTS

A total of 510 patients were divided into the iodine (n = 223) and control (n = 287) groups from 9 selected studies. Preoperative iodine administration was significantly associated with decreased thyroid vascularity and intraoperative blood loss. Significant heterogeneity was present among studies. We found no significant difference in thyroid volume or operative time. Furthermore, the meta-analysis showed no difference in the risk of postoperative complications, including vocal cord palsy, hypoparathyroidism/hypocalcemia, and hemorrhage or hematoma after thyroidectomy.

CONCLUSION

Preoperative iodine administration decreases thyroid vascularity and intraoperative blood loss. Nonetheless, it does not translate to more clinically meaningful differences in terms of operative time and postoperative complications.

Comparison of Intra-Operative Vital Sign Changes during Total Thyroidectomy in Patients with Controlled and Uncontrolled Graves' Disease

Thyroid storm (TS) is a life-threatening emergency endocrine condition. Thyroid hormones should be normalized before thyroidectomy is performed in patients with Graves’ disease. However, thyroid hormone levels are inevitably high in patients undergoing surgery. This study analyzed differences in vital sign changes during thyroidectomy between patients with controlled and uncontrolled Graves’ disease and assessed thyroid hormone cutoffs for TS. Preoperative levels of the thyroid hormones free T4 (FT4), T3, and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) were retrospectively analyzed in patients who underwent total thyroidectomy for Graves’ disease. Patients were divided into those with uncontrolled Graves’ (UG) disease, defined as preoperative TSH <0.3 µIU/mL and FT4 >1.7 ng/dL, those with controlled Graves’ (CG) disease, those with extremely uncontrolled Graves’ (EUG) disease, defined as TSH <0.3 µIU/mL and FT4 >3.4 ng/dL, and finally, those without EUG (non-EUG). The 29 patients with Graves’ disease included 12 with CG group and 17 with UG. FT4 and T3 concentrations were significantly higher in the UG group. There were no differences in vital sign and anesthetic agent. These 29 patients could also be divided into those with (n = 4) and without EUG (n = 25). The mean age was lower (21.5 vs. 40.9 years, p < 0.001) and the mean operation time was shorter (121.4 vs. 208.8 min, p = 0.003) in the EUG group. Requirements for anesthetic agents were greater in the EUG group. Mean FT4 concentration in the EUG group was 3.8 ng/dL, and there were no changes in vital signs during surgery. Vital sign change during thyroid surgery was not observed in patients with uncontrolled Graves’ disease up to the twice upper normal limit of T4 level.

Lugol's solution and other iodide preparations: perspectives and research directions in Graves' disease

Lugol's solution and other preparations containing iodide have for almost a century been used as an adjuvant treatment in patients with Graves' disease planned for thyroidectomy. Iodide has been shown to decrease thyroid hormone levels and reduce blood flow within the thyroid gland. An escape phenomenon has been feared as the iodide effect has been claimed to only be temporary. Lugol's solution has many additional effects and is used in other settings beside the thyroid. Still, there are questions of its mode of action, which doses should be deployed, if it should be used preoperative in all thyroidectomies or only in a few selected ones if at all, what is its use in other forms of thyrotoxicosis besides Graves' disease, and what is the mechanism acting on the vasculature and if these effects are confined only to arterial vessels supporting the thyroid or not. This review aims to collate current available data about Lugol's solution and other iodide preparations in the management of Graves' disease and give some suggestions where more research is needed.