Encephalitis as an initial presentation of type 2 amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis

Abstract

We report a case of a woman in her mid-20s presenting with encephalitis as the initial presentation of type 2 amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis (AIT). She was on amiodarone in view of a history of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Symptomatology included acute personality change and focal myoclonic jerks.Cerebrospinal fluid analysis showed a non-specific protein count elevation with negative microbiology, virology, autoimmune screen and onconeural antibodies. The electroencephalogram was consistent with a generalised cerebral dysrhythmia. An MRI of the head revealed symmetrical oedema within the motor cortices and a high T2 signal within the cerebellar dentate nuclei, with no restricted diffusion. Blood investigations confirmed thyrotoxicosis with negative antithyroid antibodies. She did not fulfil the criteria for a thyroid storm. Other possible causes of encephalitis were excluded.There was an excellent clinical, laboratory and radiological response to glucocorticoids, suggesting a diagnosis of steroid-responsive encephalitis secondary to type 2-AIT in the absence of a thyroid storm.

Keywords: Endocrinology; Neurology; Thyroid disease.