RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Thyroid storm is a life-threatening manifestation of thyrotoxicosis and presents with fever, diaphoresis, tachycardia, hypertension, and widened pulse pressure. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of intraoperative thyroid storm in a 12-year-old female undergoing posterior spinal fusion. Despite adequate depth of anesthesia and analgesia, the patient was persistently tachycardic and hypertensive. The surgical procedure was uneventful. A thyroid panel drawn immediately after surgery showed undetectable thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and high free thyroxine (T4) consistent with thyroid storm. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative thyroid storm in a pediatric patient is extremely rare with nonspecific clinical symptoms. Low to undetectable TSH and elevated free T4 is diagnostic.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Guatemala, a party to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), is obliged to promote the wider availability of smoking cessation treatment and to restrict tobacco advertising. Pharmacies are fundamental in providing smoking cessation medications but also might increase the availability of cigarettes. PURPOSE: To assess availability of cessation medications and cigarettes and their corresponding advertising in Guatemala pharmacies. METHODS: In Guatemala City a representative sample was selected from a list of registered pharmacies classified by type (non-profit, chain, independent). In addition, all pharmacies in the neighbouring town of Antigua were included for comparison. Trained surveyors used a checklist to characterise each pharmacy with respect to availability and advertising of cessation medications and cigarettes. RESULTS: A total of 505 pharmacies were evaluated. Cessation medications were available in 115 (22.8%), while cigarettes were available in 29 (5.7%) pharmacies. When available, medications were advertised in 1.7% (2) and cigarettes in 72.4% (21) of pharmacies. Chain pharmacies were significantly more likely to sell cessation medications and cigarettes, and to advertise cigarettes than were non-profit and independent pharmacies. CONCLUSION: Most pharmacies in Guatemala do not stock cessation medications or cigarettes. Cigarette advertising was more prevalent than advertising for cessation medications. FCTC provisions have not been implemented in Guatemala pharmacies.
