A Case of Myxedema Coma with Severe Hypoventilation / 대한내분비학회지
Journal of Korean Society of Endocrinology
; : 203-208, 2004.
Article
in Ko
| WPRIM
| ID: wpr-21314
Responsible library:
WPRO
ABSTRACT
A myxedema coma, representing the extreme feature of hypothyroidism is rare. Despite early vigorous treatment, a myxedema coma is associated with a mortality rate as high as 60%. Herein, a case of a myxedema coma, with severe hypoventilation, is described. When the patient arrived at the emergency room, she complained of dyspnea and general weakness, and was of a drowsy mental status. 7 days after admission, she was more confused and disoriented, and respiratory insufficiency had developed. Although levothyroxine was continued and her respiration improved, she still had a confused mentality and seizure developed. Despite medication her consciousness did not improve, so was discharged in despair by her family members. The respiratory abnormality with a myxedema coma is a depressed ventilatory response to hypercapnea, resulting in a decrease in alveolar ventilation, with progressive CO2 retention. An upper airway obstruction, especially during sleep, and neuromuscular dysfunction in breathing may be shown in hypothyroidism. Therefore, a myxedema coma, accompanied by severe hypoventilation, should be intensively treated with thyroid hormone replacement therapy and mechanical ventilatory support
Key words
Full text:
1
Index:
WPRIM
Main subject:
Respiration
/
Respiratory Insufficiency
/
Seizures
/
Thyroid Gland
/
Thyroxine
/
Ventilation
/
Mortality
/
Coma
/
Consciousness
/
Hormone Replacement Therapy
Type of study:
Prognostic_studies
Limits:
Humans
Language:
Ko
Journal:
Journal of Korean Society of Endocrinology
Year:
2004
Type:
Article