An acute psychotic disorder revealing hyperthyroidism by thyroid neoplasia: A case study

Abstract

Introduction

Rarely, thyroid cancer can lead to hyperthyroidism. The link between dysthyroidism and psychiatric symptoms is well established, but cases of psychosis associated with hyperthyroidism are rarely reported in the literature.

Objectives

Identifying psychosis secondary to hyperthyroidism caused by a secreting tumor through a case and literature review.

Methods

We report the case of a patient with thyroid suspect tumor and chronic psychosis. We performed a literature review based on a PubMed search with the following keywords: “dysthyroidism psychosis”.

Results

Mr. S,32, with a personal psychiatric history of chronic psychosis evolving since 4 years, without notable pathological history, was hospitalized in psychiatry for psychomotor instability, verbal hetero-aggressiveness, subtotal insomnia and refusal of treatment. The psychiatric examination revealed the presence of a chronic delusional syndrome with a theme of persecution, mysticism,and an interpretive, intuitive and hallucinatory mechanism, without dissociative syndrome. The somatic examination objectified a cachectic patient with a bilateral symmetrical non-impulsive exophthalmos, a goiter with a thrill on palpation, dysphonia and sinus tachycardia.A laboratory workup revealed inflammatory syndrome, collapsed TSH (<0.05 mU / L) and an increased T4 to 37 pmol / L. Cervical ultrasound showed a strongly suspect left lobar heteronodular goiter and poorly structured peripheral lymphadenopathy (TI-RADS 4-B). Sedative diazepam therapy was started with antithyroid therapy and a beta blocker. The evolution was quickly favorable. The patient is referred for surgical treatement.

Conclusions

The severity of the hyperthyroidism,neoplastic origin, the improvement in psychotic signs with antithyroid treatment are arguments in favor of the thyroid origin by thyroid neoplasia.