Delayed Presentation of Thyroid Storm Postradioiodine Ablation: Case Report and Review of Literature.

Abstract

Thyroid storm is an acute life-threatening complication of hyperthyroidism that presents with multisystem involvement. It can be precipitated by radioiodine therapy in high-risk patients. It has become less frequent, as current therapeutic approaches (antithyroid drugs and beta blockers) prevent the impact of thyroid hormones on the cardiovascular and central nervous systems. Hence, there is a concern that this rare clinical entity is misdiagnosed and inadequately managed leading to fatal outcomes. We report an elderly female with thyrotoxicosis who presented 4 weeks postradioiodine ablation with thyroid storm emphasizing the challenges in prompt diagnosis and future prevention of this rare clinical entity.