Hypocalcemia as an important differential diagnosis in patients suffering from stridor following thyroidectomy

Abstract

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Case report: Laryngospasm following ethanol ablation of a parathyroid nodule in a dog with primary hyperparathyroidism

“…The authors hypothesize that symptomatic hypocalcemia precipitated the upper respiratory crisis described in this case and might also explain the agitation and restlessness described by the owners. Other clinical signs of hypocalcemia were not observed in this dog, which could mean laryngospasm could be an isolated clinical sign, as has been described in people ( 4 – 7 ). Following this event, the dog was started on calcitriol and calcium carbonate, without subsequent recurrence of clinical signs.…”

“…Correction of hypocalcemia, along with anxiolysis and oxygen supplementation, resulted in rapid and sustained improvement in clinical signs. Laryngospasm associated with hypocalcemia has been described in people, but to the authors' knowledge has not been described in dogs before ( 4 – 7 ). It is important to recognize that respiratory distress could be the only clinical sign of hypocalcemia in a patient following ethanol ablation of a parathyroid nodule.…”

“…This case report describes a dog with hyperparathyroidism that developed respiratory distress 72 h after ethanol ablation of a parathyroid nodule due to laryngospasm associated with hypocalcemia ( 4 – 7 ). The dog did not exhibit signs of respiratory abnormalities prior to the procedure or for the first 72 h after it, at which point hypocalcemia was noted concurrent to its respiratory signs.…”

“…This likely occurs secondary to chemical disruption or trauma of the recurrent laryngeal nerve. This case report describes a dog with hyperparathyroidism that developed respiratory distress 72 h after ethanol ablation of a parathyroid nodule due to laryngospasm associated with hypocalcemia ( 4 – 7 ).…”