Double filtration plasmapheresis in antithyroid drug-refractory Graves disease with a massive goiter

We report a case of double filtration plasmapheresis (DFPP) performed in medication-resistant Graves disease (GD) with a massive goiter. A 19-year-old female was diagnosed with GD and initially demonstrated poor medication compliance. She presented with loss of consciousness from hypoxemia due to goiter-related tracheal narrowing. Despite inpatient drug therapy, the thyroid hormone levels remained high. We performed DFPP to control thyrotoxicosis before proceeding with thyroidectomy. After 4 sessions, thyroid hormone levels improved, enabling total thyroidectomy. GD with a large goiter may be refractory to medical therapy. In such cases, DFPP can improve thyroid hormone levels.

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Publication Details

Journal
JCEM Case Reports
Published
2026-04-21
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1210/jcemcr/luag095
Primary Topic
Thyroid Disorders and Treatments
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
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article

Double filtration plasmapheresis in antithyroid drug-refractory Graves disease with a massive goiter

Hiroyuki Uchinuma, H Ishii, Miku Yamazaki, Yuka Yokota et al.
JCEM Case Reports
Thyroid Disorders and Treatments
article

Double filtration plasmapheresis in antithyroid drug-refractory Graves disease with a massive goiter

Hiroyuki Uchinuma, H Ishii, Miku Yamazaki, Yuka Yokota, Kyoichiro Tsuchiya, Takeshi Moriguchi
article en

Abstract

We report a case of double filtration plasmapheresis (DFPP) performed in medication-resistant Graves disease (GD) with a massive goiter. A 19-year-old female was diagnosed with GD and initially demonstrated poor medication compliance. She presented with loss of consciousness from hypoxemia due to goiter-related tracheal narrowing. Despite inpatient drug therapy, the thyroid hormone levels remained high. We performed DFPP to control thyrotoxicosis before proceeding with thyroidectomy. After 4 sessions, thyroid hormone levels improved, enabling total thyroidectomy. GD with a large goiter may be refractory to medical therapy. In such cases, DFPP can improve thyroid hormone levels.

JCEM Case ReportsVol. 4(5)
University of Yamanashi Hospital (JP), University of Yamanashi (JP)
No poverty, Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 6%
Thyroid Disorders and Treatments
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