Myxoedema Coma Masquerading as Acute Stroke

Abstract

This report describes the management of a patient with myxoedema coma masquerading as an acute stroke (with or without ‘cold sepsis’). Myxoedema coma is an endocrine emergency occurring when physiological adaptations to untreated hypothyroidism are overwhelmed by an acute precipitant. Even promptly treated, it has an associated mortality of up to 50%.

Keywords

• myxoedema coma
• thyroid emergencies
• hypothyroidism