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Successfully treated case of severe hypothermia secondary to myxedema coma

Authors :
Hirotsugu Yamamoto
Takashi Hongo
Tsuyoshi Nojima
Takafumi Obara
Yoshinori Kosaki
Kohei Ageta
Kohei Tsukahara
Tetsuya Yumoto
Atsunori Nakao
Hiromichi Naito
Source :
Acute Medicine & Surgery, Vol 10, Iss 1, Pp n/a-n/a (2023)
Publication Year :
2023
Publisher :
Wiley, 2023.

Abstract

Background Myxedema coma is an extremely rare but fatal endocrine emergency that requires urgent recognition and treatment. We describe a case of severe hypothermia that rapidly deteriorated to cardiac arrest that was attributed to myxedema coma. Case Presentation A 52‐year‐old man without a history of hypothyroidism was transferred to our emergency department due to coma and profound hypothermia. The patient developed cardiac arrest immediately after hospital arrival but return of spontaneous circulation was achieved shortly after resuscitation. The patient was noted to have generalized, nonpitting edema, dry skin, severe respiratory acidosis, hyponatremia, and elevated creatinine kinase, which was indicative of hypothyroidism. Myxedema coma was confirmed by a thyroid profile. The patient was successfully treated with intravenous levothyroxine and glucocorticoid. Conclusion Although myxedema coma is a rare cause of severe hypothermia, emergency physicians should be familiar with its clinical features and management.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
20528817
Volume :
10
Issue :
1
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Acute Medicine & Surgery
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.1f6db1c8caf4a68ba4dd50e445aa897
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1002/ams2.828