A 47-year-old woman has perioral tingling and hand cramps 18 hours after total thyroidectomy. Chvostek sign is present. Calcium is 7.2 mg/dL and

Question

A 47-year-old woman has perioral tingling and hand cramps 18 hours after total thyroidectomy. Chvostek sign is present. Calcium is 7.2 mg/dL and phosphate is elevated. Which of the following is the most likely explanation for this patient's findings?

Accepted Answer

Transient hypoparathyroidism

Answer

Thyroid storm

Answer

Recurrent laryngeal nerve transection

Answer

Serotonin syndrome

Answer

Superior laryngeal nerve injury

Post-thyroidectomy hypocalcemia — USMLE Step 3 MCQ

A 47-year-old woman has perioral tingling and hand cramps 18 hours after total thyroidectomy. Chvostek sign is present. Calcium is 7.2 mg/dL and phosphate is elevated. Which of the following is the most likely explanation for this patient's findings?