Published in:
Open Access 01-12-2014 | Case report
Pancytopenia in a surgical patient, a rare presentation of hyperthyroidism
Published in: BMC Surgery | Issue 1/2014
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Background
Pancytopenia is a rare complication of hyperthyroidism. Various mechanisms have been described such as immunological, bone marrow suppression. The possibility of hyperthyroidism should be considered in patients with unexplained pancytopenia. There are many case reports showing the association between hyperthyroidism and pancytopenia. All of these reports show association between Graves disease and pancytopenia but our case shows association between Multinodular goitre and pancytopenia. Besides it is uncommon to find such association in a surgical patient.
Case presentation
This case report describes a 62 yr old hindu female with splenic injury and pancytopenia. On further investigations the patient was found to have hyperthyroidism.
Conclusion
Though the definite mechanism regarding the association of pancytopenia with hyperthyroidism isn’t clear, various cases have been described in the literature. This case shows the diagnostic dilemma that can occur in patients with pancytopenia. Any patient with unexplained pancytopenia should undergo thyroid function tests to rule out hyperthyroidism.