[Acute hepatic failure in a patient with hyperthyroidism and virus B hepatitis: recovery after plasmapheresis and...

A 31-year-old man admitted with abdominal pain, nauseas, vomiting, jaundice and fever that had began 2 weeks before. He had a history of hyperthyroidism and an irregular treatment with propylthiouracil (PTU) for 2 years. He had stopped PTU when the current symptoms started. The patient presented diffuse goiter, about 120g, FT4 22.7 ng/dL (N: 0.8 - 1.9 ng/dL); THS < 0.002 microUI/mL (N 0.4-5 microUI/mL). Transaminases, serum total and direct bilirubins were increased. He was kept without PTU and propranolol was started and increased until the dose of 480 mg/day. Abdominal ultrasonography was normal and serologic markers for hepatitis A, B and C pointed to acute virus B hepatitis. The patient presented a worse of hepatic function and elevated thyroid hormones levels. To avoid the future need of antithyroid drugs, to get a fast normalization of thyroid hormones levels and because of the goiter size thyroidectomy was recommended. The patient underwent one therapeutic plasmapheresis session just before the surgery. A total thyroidectomy was performed without complications. At the 5th day after surgery the patient presented improvement of hepatic function and low FT4 serum levels. We concluded that preexisting hyperthyroidism may aggravate or perpetuate a hepatic failure caused for acute viral hepatitis and plasmapheresis is a rapid, reliable and effective way to lower thyroid hormones serum levels, allowing a successful thyroidectomy in patients with severe thyrotoxicosis.