Iodinated Contrast-Induced Thyroid Storm With Concomitant Cardiac Tamponade: A Case Report

A thyroid storm is a rare but life-threatening condition caused by the exaggeration of the clinical manifestations of thyrotoxicosis. The symptoms of thyroid storms are non-specific in nature, making the Burch Wartofsky Point Scale (BWPS) a valuable resource in the diagnosis of thyroid storms. Though not part of the BWPS scoring criteria, literature reviews have shown an increasing number of reports of pericardial effusion secondary to thyrotoxicosis. Pericardial effusion is a well-known sequela of hypothyroidism that, in severe cases, can cause cardiac tamponade. With increasing reports, clinicians should be aware that pericardial effusions can develop secondary to both underactive and overactive thyroid states. We present a case of iodine contrast-induced Jod-Basedow in a 29-year-old with a prior history of Graves disease with concomitant pericardial effusion requiring thyroidectomy.