Laryngeal myxoedema: a literature review of an uncommon complication of hypothyroidism

A 59-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with shortness of breath. She had significant oropharyngeal swelling obstructing her upper respiratory tract. A diagnosis of laryngeal myxoedema was made, which was attributed to severe hypothyroidism. She required invasive ventilation and su...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inBMJ case reports Vol. 14; no. 4; p. e241313
Main Authors Iftikhar, Mian Harris, Raziq, Fazal I, Coll, Patrick, Dar, Aneeqa Yousaf
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published England BMJ Publishing Group LTD 01.04.2021
BMJ Publishing Group
Subjects
Biopsy
Case Report
Case reports
Diabetes
Ears & hearing
Edema
Female
Hormone replacement therapy
Humans
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism - complications
Hypothyroidism - drug therapy
Intubation
Larynx
Larynx - diagnostic imaging
Literature reviews
Middle Aged
Myxedema - complications
Myxedema - diagnosis
Myxedema - drug therapy
Ostomy
Pituitary gland
Pulmonary embolisms
Sleep apnea
Thyroid gland
Thyroxine - therapeutic use
Tracheostomy
Tracheotomy
endocrine system
thyroid disease
drugs and medicines
general practice / family medicine
ear
nose and throat/otolaryngology
Online AccessGet full text

Cover

More Information
Summary:A 59-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with shortness of breath. She had significant oropharyngeal swelling obstructing her upper respiratory tract. A diagnosis of laryngeal myxoedema was made, which was attributed to severe hypothyroidism. She required invasive ventilation and subsequently a tracheostomy. She was treated with levothyroxine and hydrocortisone. She completely recovered with this therapy. In this review, we will discuss similar cases and different therapeutic options. This case also highlights the fact that establishing a diagnosis of laryngeal myxoedema, a condition that can potentially have lethal outcomes and can be challenging.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Case Study-2
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
content type line 14
ObjectType-Feature-4
ObjectType-Report-1
ObjectType-Article-3
ObjectType-Review-5
content type line 23
ISSN:1757-790X
1757-790X
DOI:10.1136/bcr-2020-241313