Shock thyroid: A new manifestation of the hypovolemic shock complex in trauma patients.

The authors describe a new computed tomography finding associated with significant thoracoabdominal trauma: thyroidal and perithyroidal edema and fluid without evidence for direct thyroid injury. It does not seem to be related to direct or indirect thyroid injury but is rather a secondary finding related to the hypovolemic shock complex. The physiology of this phenomenon is unknown, but it is likely to be an additional component to the imaging findings of the hypovolemic shock complex. This finding should be recognized so as to avoid confusion with thyroid or vascular injury or other incidental etiology.