Acute parkinsonism in a patient with myxedema crisis: A case report

Abstract

Both myxedema crisis and Sheehan's syndrome are uncommon conditions. The first-time presentation as myxedema crisis is rare in Sheehan's syndrome. The present study describes the case of a 31-year-old female patient who presented with altered sensorium in the emergency room. The patient was not a known case of hypothyroidism, but had a history of secondary amenorrhea and lactation failure following the birth of a child 11 years prior. Upon evaluation, she was found to have hypothermia, hypotension, the delayed relaxation of deep tendon reflexes, bradycardia and hyponatremia, which led to the suspicion of myxedema crisis. Her thyroid function tests were suggestive of secondary hypothyroidism and her pituitary hormonal profile revealed panhypopituitarism. The patient was managed on the lines of myxedema crisis with oral levothyroxine, hydrocortisone infusion, antibiotics and rewarming. Her clinical and biochemical parameters exhibited an improvement; however, her altered sensorium persisted. A repeat neurological examination revealed cogwheel rigidity with paraparesis, which led to the clinical suspicion of acute parkinsonism. Magnetic resonance imaging of the sella and brain was suggestive of an empty sella and extrapontine myelinolysis, substantiating the diagnosis of Sheehan's syndrome with acute parkinsonism. The patient was commenced on levodopa-carbidopa following which there was an improvement in symptoms. The patient improved over the ensuing 6 months and can now perform all household activities. On the whole, the present study indicates that the early suspicion of myxedema crisis, prompt treatment and the recognition of additional aetiology for persistent altered sensorium can result in a successful outcome for the patient.

Keywords: Sheehan's syndrome; acute parkinsonism; myxedema crisis.

Figure 1

Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain (axial view; T2W) illustrating hyperintensity in bilateral caudate nuclei (thick arrow), putamen (asterisk) and thalamus (thin arrow).

Figure 2

Magnetic resonance imaging (sagittal view; T1W with contrast) illustrating an empty sella (arrow).