Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis: a case report and review of the literature

A Rare Case of Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis With Acute Urinary Retention: Diagnosis and Management

Hypokalemic periodic paralysis (hypoPP) is a rare channelopathy caused by mutations in skeletal muscle ion channels that usually occurs in young individuals and adolescents. The etiology can be attributed to various factors, such as idiopathic or secondary causes. It is characterized by episodes of sudden flaccid muscle weakness. Timely detection may mitigate the risk of severe complications. Secondary causes of hypoPP, such as hyperthyroidism, should be ruled out, as this could lead to thyrotoxic periodic paralysis. We report the case of a 19-year-old boy who presented to the ED with severe weakness in both the upper and lower extremities. The weakness rapidly progressed to his trunk and was accompanied by acute urinary retention. The physical examination was significant for bilateral upper and lower extremity weakness. Subsequent laboratory investigations revealed markedly low serum potassium levels. The patient's symptoms resolved after the replacement of potassium, and he was discharged without neurological deficits. Although rarely accompanied by acute urinary retention, hypoPP must be differentiated from other causes of weakness and paralysis so that the proper treatment can be initiated quickly. The rarity of hypoPP, a condition seldom encountered in clinical practice, and the added rarity of its coexistence with acute urinary retention further underscore the uniqueness of this case report.

Wilson's Disease Presents as Recurrent Hypokalemic Muscle Paralysis

A 21-year-old euthyroid gentleman born to nonconsanguineous parents was diagnosed with bipolar affective disorder. He presented 4 years later with hypokalemic quadriparesis. On evaluation, he was found to have features of both proximal and distal renal tubular acidosis. Ophthalmologic examination by slit lamp confirmed the presence of the Kayser-Fleischer ring. The diagnosis of Wilson's disease was established with serum ceruloplasmin levels and 24-h urinary copper levels.Here is a rare clinical presentation of Wilson's disease in the form of hypokalemic muscle paralysis due to proximal renal tubular acidosis with distal tubule involvement. The diagnosis was delayed due to the initial presentation with psychiatric symptoms.

Novel CACNA1S mutation in hypokalaemic periodic paralysis

A 15-year-old girl was admitted to emergency department with an acute flaccid tetraparesis with no other symptoms. A history of recurrent similar episodes with spontaneous recovery was reported and no family history was known. Laboratory tests revealed severe hypokalaemia and hypokaluria. Symptoms resolution occurred after potassium replacement. The diagnosis of hypokalaemic periodic paralysis (HPP) was confirmed by genetic testing, which revealed a not previously described mutation in CACNA1S gene (c.3715C>G p.Arg1239Gly). HPP is a rare neuromuscular disorder that causes episodic attacks of flaccid paralysis with concomitant hypokalaemia. Primary forms of the disease are skeletal muscle ion channelopathies. HPP occurs due to a problem in potassium distribution rather than a total body potassium deficiency. Therefore potassium replacement should be carefully performed because of the risk of rebound hyperkalaemia. Knowing this rare entity is important in order to avoid diagnostic delays and so that proper treatment can be initiated to reduce morbidity and mortality.

A Case of Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis in a Young Athlete

Hypokalemic periodic paralysis (HPP) is one of the group muscle disorders that can cause sudden onset paresis or paralysis. It is a quite rare, yet, potentially life-threatening condition that, if appropriately and promptly diagnosed and treated, can be completely reversed. Other forms of periodic paralysis include thyrotoxic periodic paralysis, hyperkalemic periodic paralysis, and Anderson syndrome. We are presenting a case of a young male who presented to the emergency department (ED) with sudden paralysis to shed light on such a diagnosis and on other differential diagnoses.

Hypokalemic Paraparesis Progressing to Quadriparesis in a Case of Intradural Spinal Tumor

Introduction

This study aims to present a case of spinal intradural tumor with paraparesis referred for surgery, which later progressed to quadriparesis and subsequently found to have hypokalemia due to primary hyperaldosteronism causing a clinical dilemma.

Case Report

A 46-year-old male was referred for surgery from peripheral center with a diagnosis of an intradural tumor at L1. The patient presented to us with paraparesis, which progressed to quadriparesis. On evaluation, the patient was found to have low serum potassium levels of 1.6 mmol/L with hypertension. The plasma aldosterone-renin was elevated which was suggestive of primary hyperaldosteronism. Further, investigations in the form of CT abdomen suggested the presence of a right adrenal adenoma. The patient was diagnosed with hypokalemia-induced quadriparesis and treated conservatively with potassium supplementation and later spironolactone. The patient recovered completely in 72 h and was able to walk independently before discharge.

Conclusion

Spinal tumor may not always be the cause for patient's paraparesis; non-spinal factors such as hypokalemia should be kept in mind. The presence of intradural spinal tumor with hypokalemia may cause decision dilemma regarding treatment and interdisciplinary approach is recommended to facilitate the treatment.

A case report of sudden-onset upper and lower extremity weakness

Thyrotoxic hypokalemic periodic paralysis is characterized by acute attacks of muscle paralysis, hypokalemia, and thyrotoxicosis. It is a medical emergency, as fatal and life-threatening ventricular arrhythmia associated with hypokalemia has been reported. A 24-year-old man presented with severe lower extremity weakness, which progressed to his trunk and arms. He denied any associated symptoms and had no history of a similar episode or predisposing condition. The physical examination was significant for bilateral extremity weakness, more severe in the lower as compared to the upper extremities. The rest of the neurologic exam was normal. A small, smooth, nontender goiter was palpated. Laboratory data was significant for a potassium level of 2.0 mEq/L. Final lab data revealed a thyroid panel consistent with hyperthyroidism. Once the patient's potassium level normalized after repletion, he recovered his strength and was able to walk again. He was diagnosed with thyrotoxic hypokalemic periodic paralysis, a potentially lethal complication of hyperthyroidism. Because it is reversible with treatment of hyperthyroidism, it is imperative that this condition be considered, recognized and managed appropriately.

A case of periodic hypokalemic paralysis in a patient with celiac disease

A 4-year-old male child presented with recurrent episodes of diarrhoea for 6-months, each episode associated with weakness of all four limbs and documented hypokalemia who on examination had some pallor, short stature, flaccid quadriparesis with absent DTR. The patient responded clinically and biochemically to potassium supplement. TTG and Intestinal biopsy confirmed celiac disease. Patient was put on gluten free diet and patient is doing well with no recurrence. We present a case of Recurrent hypokalemic paralysis with previously unsuspected celiac disease who was not in celiac crisis.

Proximal myopathy: diagnostic approach and initial management

Proximal myopathy presents as symmetrical weakness of proximal upper and/or lower limbs. There is a broad range of underlying causes including drugs, alcohol, thyroid disease, osteomalacia, idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM), hereditary myopathies, malignancy, infections and sarcoidosis. Clinical assessment should aim to distinguish proximal myopathy from other conditions that can present similarly, identify patients who need prompt attention, like those with cardiac, respiratory or pharyngeal muscle involvement, and determine underlying cause of myopathy. Initial evaluation should include simple tests, like creatine kinase, thyroid function and (25)OH vitamin D levels, but further evaluation including neurophysiological studies, muscle imaging and muscle biopsy should be considered for patients in whom no toxic, metabolic or endocrine cause is found, and in those with clinical features suggestive of inflammatory or hereditary myopathy. Additionally, screening for malignancy and testing for anti-Jo1 antibody is indicated for selected patients with IIM. Management depends on underlying cause, and includes measures, such as removal of offending agent, correction of endocrine or metabolic problem, corticosteroids and immunosuppressive therapy for IIM, and physical therapy, rehabilitation and genetic counselling for muscular dystrophies.

Recurrent hypokalemic paralysis: An atypical presentation of hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism presenting as recurrent hypokalemic paralysis is rare in the literature. This transient and episodic neurological condition is commonly associated with thyrotoxicosis. We report a case of young female admitted with recurrent paralytic attacks since last 1 year. She had no symptom of hypothyroidism. She had weakness of all four limbs, delayed relaxation of ankle jerks, and normal higher mental function. There was no enlargement of thyroid. Serum potassium level ranged from 1.6 to 3.2 meq/L during attack with high serum creatine phosphokinase level. Electromyography was normal. The patient was diagnosed having chronic thyroiditis with high thyroid-stimulating hormone and thyroid-related antibodies. Follow up shows satisfactory result with thyroxine replacement. It is an extremely rare and unusual presentation of hypothyroidism, probably the fourth reported case of hypothyroidism with hypokalemic paralysis, to the best of our knowledge.

Focal hypokalemic paralysis: report of 2 cases and review of the literature

Hypokalemia is one of the most frequent electrolytic disturbances encountered in clinical practice. It usually presents with symmetrical generalized muscle weakness and, on occasions, with arrhythmias. There are scarce reports of cases presenting with asymmetric or focal weakness in the literature and no systematic reviews on the subject. Therefore, our aim is to describe 2 cases of hypokalemic paralysis that presented as monoparesis and to review the literature on focal hypokalemic paralysis. Hypokalemic paralysis is usually reversible. However, it can be fatal if the diagnosis and treatment are delayed. It is important to take into account this presentation because failure to recognize it could lead to misdiagnosis, delaying the adequate treatment.