Severe hypokalaemic paralysis from an unusual cause mimicking the Guillain-Barré syndrome

✍ Scribed by B. Valtier; G. Mion; L. H. Pham; L. Brochard

• Publisher: Springer
• Year: 1989
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 128 KB
• Volume: 15
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1432-1238
• DOI: 10.1007/bf00273568

✦ Synopsis

We report a case of hypokalaemic quadriparesis occurring 37 years after a bilateral ureterosigmoidostomy. The history and physical signs as well as cerebrospinal fluid analysis initially led to a diagnosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome. Acidosis and profound hypokalaemia were present and a dramatic improvement occurred after rapid correction of the potassium depletion. The underlying mechanism of potassium depletion which occurs after this mode of urinary diversion are briefly discussed.