Acute Thyrotoxicosis Following a Horse-Induced Neck Trauma

Author: Jooyeop LEE ¹ ; Meihua JIN ; Won Sang YOO
Author Information

1. Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Armed Forces Yangju Hospital, Yangju, Korea
Publication Type:CASE REPORT
From:International Journal of Thyroidology 2024;17(1):245-249
CountryRepublic of Korea
Language:EN
Abstract: We present a rare case of acute thyrotoxicosis in a man with horse-induced neck trauma. A 60-year-old man presented to our emergency department with a head and neck injury caused by a horse kick. Computed tomography revealed a hematoma in the right thyroid gland. Ultrasonography of the neck revealed a 1.4 cm sized heterogenous hypoechoic lesion with an irregular margin in the right lower pole, suggestive of a thyroid hematoma. A thyroid function test revealed elevated free thyroxine and free triiodothyronine levels and suppressed thyrotropin levels. A Tc-99m thyroid scan showed a mild diffuse decreased uptake in the thyroid gland, especially in the right lower pole. We monitored the thyroid function test results, which took 2 months to recover to the normal range. This case indicates that awareness of thyroid dysfunction and monitoring of thyroid function are vital in patients with neck trauma.