Hyperkalemia-induced acute flaccid paralysis: a case report.
Acute flaccid paralysis is a medical emergency that may be caused by primary neuro-muscular disorders, metabolic alterations, and iatrogenic effects. Severe hyperkalemia is also a potential cause, especially in elderly patients with impaired renal function. Early diagnosis is essential for appropriate management. Here, we report the case of a 78-year-old woman with hypertension and diabetes presenting to the emergency department because of pronounced asthenia, rapidly evolving in quadriparesis. Laboratory examinations showed severe hyperkalemia of 9.9 mmol/L, metabolic acidosis, kidney failure (creatinine 1.6 mg/dl), and hyperglycemia (501 mg/dl). The electrocardiography showed absent P-wave, widening QRS, and tall T-waves. The patient was immediately treated with medical therapy and a hemodialysis session, presenting a rapid resolution of electrocardiographic and neurological abnormalities. This case offers the opportunity to discuss the pathogenesis, the clinical presentation, and the management of hyperkalemia-induced acute flaccid paralysis.
["D'Ercole|Martina|M|", 'Cipriani|Leda|L|', 'Picciotto|Daniela|D|', 'Bianzina|Stefania|S|', 'Russo|Elisa|E|', 'Viazzi|Francesca|F|', 'Esposito|Pasquale|P|']
D000368:Aged D020805:Central Nervous System Viral Diseases D003404:Creatinine D004562:Electrocardiography D005260:Female D006801:Humans D006947:Hyperkalemia D009187:Myelitis D009468:Neuromuscular Diseases D006435:Renal Dialysis
acute flaccid paralysis hyperkalemia diabetes hemodialysis