Abstract
We report a case in which urgent surgery was required due to psychological symptoms of Graves’ disease. The case was a 37-year-old woman. She had been diagnosed with Graves’ disease two years earlier. She was started on oral thiamazole, but self-discontinued due to its side effects. Although she was subsequently diagnosed with depression two months later, she refused to take the medication. Her mental state deteriorated and she could not communicate. She was referred to our hospital for the treatment of Graves’ disease. According to a psychiatrist, her psychiatric symptoms were likely to be Basedow’s psychosis. Her condition was so severe that she required hospitalization for medical care and protection. Early improvement of thyroid function was necessary, but drug therapy was difficult due to side effects. Therefore, she was treated with inorganic iodine to normalize her thyroid function. We then promptly performed total thyroidectomy and her mental status stabilized. Basedow’s psychosis may require early surgical intervention. It is necessary for head and neck surgeons to understand and deal with the condition.
