FEMORAL FRACTURE AND IATROGENIC HYPERTHYROIDISM IN SPINAL-CORD INJURY

Analysis of the clinical case of a male aged 30 years, presenting with TG complete paraplegia in 1991, demonstrated the existence of aggrava ting factors for disuse osteoporosis of spinal cord injury, possibly l eading to bone density values below the fracture threshold with the ri sk of spontaneous fractures. This patient was admitted to hospital for multiple pressure sores requiring prolonged local dressings before an d after plastic surgery performed in July 1995. In January 1996, follo wing exercise, he developed a fracture of the femoral diaphysis with a cystic demineralized appearance of the bone. The etiologic work-up de monstrated hyperthyroidism due to iatrogenic iodine overload secondary to Betadine(R). A review of the literature revealed numerous cases of thyroid dysfunction secondary to iatrogenic iodine saturation. This c ase justifies regular surveillance of thyroid function tests during pr olonged treatment with Betadine(R) and identification of patients with a clinical predisposition.