Hypokalemic thyrotoxic periodic paralysis with thyrotoxic psychosis and hypercapnic respiratory failure.

Bushra Abbasi, Zain Sharif, Laurie R Sprabery

Journal: The American journal of the medical sciences 2010;340(2):147-53

PMID: 20581656

Full Text on Elsevier Science View on PubMed

Abstract

Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis is a rare and potentially lethal neuromuscular disease that manifests as recurrent episodic muscle weakness associated with hypokalemia and thyrotoxicosis. Paralysis can rarely involve respiratory muscles leading to acute respiratory failure. The disease primarily affects people of Asian descent, but it is being increasingly reported in other ethnic groups. We review the literature and report a case of hypokalemic thyrotoxic periodic paralysis manifesting as thyroid storm with episodic acute respiratory failure requiring recurrent intubation and eventually requiring thyroidectomy for resolution of symptoms.

Address: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, USA. [email protected]

DOI: 10.1097/MAJ.0b013e3181cbf567

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MeSH Terms: Adult, Asian People, Diagnosis, Differential, Humans, Hypercapnia, Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis, Male, Potassium, Psychotic Disorders, Respiratory Insufficiency, Thyrotoxicosis