The differential diagnostic problems in unilateral euthyroid Graves' ophthalmopathy

1984 ◽  
Vol 106 (4) ◽  
pp. 471-476 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hans Perrild ◽  
Ulla Feldt-Rasmussen ◽  
Karine Bech ◽  
Preben Ahlgren ◽  
Jens Mølholm Hansen

Abstract. Nine consecutive patients with unilateral ophthalmopathy with suspected endocrine pathogenesis were investigated with a TRH test, a T3 suppression-test, thyroid autoantibodies and a subsequent computerized tomography (CT)-scan. All patients were clinically and biochemically euthyroid. Seven of 9 patients had a normal TRH test and 6 of 7 had a normal T3 suppression test. Slightly to moderately elevated microsomal and thyroglobulin (determined with radioimmunoassay) autoantibodies were found in 5 of 8 patients and in 1 patient thyroid stimulating immunoglobulins (TSI) were found. Three of the patients had normal thyroid function tests and no detectable thyroid autoantibodies. The subsequent CT-scan revealed that one of these had a maxillary tumour protruding into the orbita. The remaining 8 patients had enlargement of one (3 patients) or more (5 patients) eyemuscles. Two of the 8 patients had bilaterally enlarged eyemuscles, one of which was the patient with positive TSI. The remaining 6 patients had unilateral extraocular muscle enlargement. Thus, 2 of 9 patients had ophthalmopathy without thyroid dysfunction so-called isolated autoimmune ophthalmopathy or Graves' ophthalmopathy. Thyroid function tests seem to be of limited value in the diagnosis between endocrine and non-endocrine eye disease, and we recommend the use of diagnostic imaging (e.g. CT-scan) in patients with unilateral exophthalmus in order to diagnose malignant processes.

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asami Hotta ◽  
Tomohiro Tanaka ◽  
Haruka Kato ◽  
Shota Kakoi ◽  
Yuki Shimizu ◽  
...  

We report of a case of Graves’ ophthalmopathy presented solely with symptoms of the eyes with normal thyroid function tests and negative immunoreactive TSH receptor autoantibody. 40-year-old male was referred to our hospital due to 2-month history of ocular focusing deficit without any signs or symptoms of hyper- or hypothyroidism. Serum thyroid function tests and 99mTc uptake were both within the normal range. Anti-thyroid autoantibodies were all negative except for the cell-based assay for serum TSH receptor stimulating activity. Since orbital CT scan and MRI gave typical results compatible with Graves’ ophthalmopathy, we treated the patients with corticosteroid pulse therapy and orbital radiation therapy, leading to a partial improvement of the symptoms. This case gives insights into the potential pathophysiologic mechanism underlying Graves’ ophthalmopathy and casts light upon the difficulties of establishing the diagnosis in a euthyroid case with minimal positive results for anti-thyroid autoantibodies.


1998 ◽  
pp. 562-564 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Luboshitzky ◽  
G Qupti ◽  
A Ishai ◽  
M Dharan

A 27-year-old woman with no previous personal or family history of thyroid disease was referred to us for the evaluation of thyroid nodule, five months postpartum. Thyroid scintigraphy demonstrated a left cold nodule. Fine needle aspiration cytology of the nodule showed a mixture of colloid, follicular cells and lymphocytes, suggesting lymphocytic thyroiditis. Thyroid function tests were normal and thyroid autoantibodies were negative. After two months the thyroid nodule was not palpated and thyroid scintigraphy returned to normal. Thyroid function tests remained normal twelve months after delivery. These findings suggest that postpartum thyroiditis may present as a localized transient form and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of painless solitary nodule that appears postpartum.


2008 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 179-182
Author(s):  
Carol F. Adair ◽  
John T. Preskitt ◽  
Kristin L. Joyner ◽  
Robin W. Dobson

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. A565-A565
Author(s):  
Alisha Hossain ◽  
Emily Skutnik ◽  
Arjan Ahluwalia ◽  
Lindor Gelin ◽  
Sonum Singh ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Pituitary adenomas are usually benign tumors that arise from adenophypophyseal cells and produce one or two types of hormones. Plurihormonal adenomas are a rare subtype that produce two or more hormones and represent less than 1% of all pituitary adenomas. Clinical Presentation: A 76-year-old female presented for evaluation of abnormal thyroid function test results. She was found to have an elevated free T4 of 1.92 ng/dL and total T4 of 14.4 ug/dL with an inappropriately normal TSH of 2.11 uIU/mL. Physical examination was significant for tachycardia, tremors, diaphoresis, coarse facial features, and enlarged hands. Further biochemical evaluation of her pituitary hormone levels demonstrated an elevated prolactin (PRL) of 237.2 ng/mL, elevated insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) of 787 ng/mL, normal morning ACTH of 47 pg/mL, normal morning cortisol of 17.0 ug/dL, an inappropriately suppressed FSH of <5.0 mIU/mL, an elevated alpha subunit of pituitary glycoprotein hormones (PGH) of 6.9 ng/mL, and an elevated free T4 of 3.5 ng/dL by equilibrium dialysis. She underwent an MRI of the pituitary and brain which demonstrated a pituitary adenoma measuring 1.2 x 1.3 x 1.8 cm with a portion herniating into the sella turcica with no mass effect of the optic chiasm. A formal visual field examination was normal. The patient underwent workup for Cushing’s Disease with a low dose overnight dexamethasone suppression test, resulting in an appropriate response with an 8 AM cortisol of <1.0 ug/dL. Glucose suppression test confirmed the diagnosis of acromegaly with growth hormone at 120 minutes of 19.90 ng/mL. Neurosurgery performed a trans-sphenoidal pituitary adenoma resection. Thyroid function tests on post-operative day 4 demonstrated a suppressed TSH of 0.01 uIU/mL and an elevated free T4 of 2.30 ng/dL. Histological evaluation revealed dual expression of transcription factors pituitary-specific positive transcription factor 1 (PIT1) and steroidogenic factor 1 (SF1) as well as PRL, GH, TSH and FSH expression. Immunostaining for LH and ACTH were negative. Post-operative IGF-1 and GH levels were 106 ng/mL and 0.51 ng/mL at 17 weeks, respectively. Post-operative TSH normalized to 0.82 uIU/mL, free T4 normalized to 1.04 ng/dL, and PRL normalized to 8.1 ng/mL at 12 weeks. The patient remained symptom free after successful surgical resection. Discussion: Our case demonstrates the clinical course of a unique patient with clinical and biochemical manifestations of thyroid dysfunction and acromegaly with a pituitary adenoma immunoreactive for GH, TSH, FSH, and PRL. The co-secretion of GH, TSH, PRL, and FSH as well as positivity for the alpha-subunit is extremely unusual. This case emphasizes the importance of considering pituitary abnormalities as a cause for abnormal thyroid function tests.


Author(s):  
Jonathan Brown ◽  
Luqman Sardar

Summary A 68-year-old previously independent woman presented multiple times to hospital over the course of 3 months with a history of intermittent weakness, vacant episodes, word finding difficulty and reduced cognition. She was initially diagnosed with a TIA, and later with a traumatic subarachnoid haemorrhage following a fall; however, despite resolution of the haemorrhage, symptoms were ongoing and continued to worsen. Confusion screen blood tests showed no cause for the ongoing symptoms. More specialised investigations, such as brain imaging, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, electroencephalogram and serology also gave no clear diagnosis. The patient had a background of hypothyroidism, with plasma thyroid function tests throughout showing normal free thyroxine and a mildly raised thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). However plasma anti-thyroid peroxidise (TPO) antibody titres were very high. After discussion with specialists, it was felt she may have a rare and poorly understood condition known as Hashimoto’s encephalopathy (HE). After a trial with steroids, her symptoms dramatically improved and she was able to live independently again, something which would have been impossible at presentation. Learning points: In cases of subacute onset confusion where most other diagnoses have already been excluded, testing for anti-thyroid antibodies can identify patients potentially suffering from HE. In these patients, and under the guidance of specialists, a trial of steroids can dramatically improve patient’s symptoms. The majority of patients are euthyroid at the time of presentation, and so normal thyroid function tests should not prevent anti-thyroid antibodies being tested for. Due to high titres of anti-thyroid antibodies being found in a small percentage of the healthy population, HE should be treated as a diagnosis of exclusion, particularly as treatment with steroids may potentially worsen the outcome in other causes of confusion, such as infection.


1986 ◽  
Vol 145 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 143-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. Wit ◽  
B. Rees-Smith ◽  
F. M. Creagh ◽  
H. W. Bruinse ◽  
D. van der Heide ◽  
...  

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