Intermittent Paralysis and Chronic Adrenal Insufficiency

Case Studies1 September 1962Intermittent Paralysis and Chronic Adrenal InsufficiencyMELVIN L. FAW, M.D., ROBERT W. EWER, M.D.MELVIN L. FAW, M.D.Search for more papers by this author, ROBERT W. EWER, M.D.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-57-3-461 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptParalysis caused by hyperkalemia has been reported as a complication of Addison's disease in 5 instances (1-5). The patient to be described is of interest because he had long-standing and frequent episodes of intermittent paralysis of skeletal muscle with repeated spontaneous recovery. Addison's disease was confirmed by clinical and autopsy findings. To our knowledge, periodic neuromuscular disturbances of this type associated with chronic adrenal insufficiency have not been previously observed.CASE REPORTA 28-year-old white male was well until the age of 17 years (1951) when he had a tonsillectomy. Following the procedure he became weak, hypotensive, and lethargic, and...References1. BULLCARTERLOWE GMABKG: Hyperpotassaemic paralysis. Lancet 2: 60, 1953. CrossrefGoogle Scholar2. MARKSFEIT LJE: Flaccid quadriplegia, hyperkalemia, and Addison's disease. Arch. Intern. Med. 91: 56, 1953. CrossrefGoogle Scholar3. RICHARDSONSIBLEY GOJC: Flaccid quadriplegia associated with hyperpotassaemia. Canad. Med. Ass. J. 69: 504, 1953. MedlineGoogle Scholar4. MOLLARETGOULONTOURNILHAC PMM: Contribution à l'étude des paralysies avec hyperkaliémie. I. Rôle de l'insuffisance cortico-surrénalienne. Rev. Neurol. (Par.) 98: 341, 1958. MedlineGoogle Scholar5. POLLENWILLIAMS RHRH: Hyperkalemic neuromyopathy in Addison's disease. New Engl. J. Med. 263: 273, 1960. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar6. GROBLILJESTRANDJOHNS DARJ: Potassium movement in normal subjects: effect on muscle function. Amer. J. Med. 23: 340, 1957. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar7. VAN DER MEULENGILBERTKANE JPGJCA: Familial hyperkalemic paralysis with myotonia. New Engl. J. Med. 264: 1, 1961. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar8. LAPORTEGOULONMERCIERLEBORGNE AMJP: Paralysies récidivantes avec hyperkaliémie, secondaires a l'ingestion répétée de CIK, chez un addisonien traite. Bull. Mém. Soc. Hôp. Paris 74: 935, 1958. MedlineGoogle Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: Evansville, IndianaFrom the Department of Medicine, Welborn Clinic, Evansville, Indiana.Requests for reprints should be addressed to Robert W. Ewer, M.D., Department of Medicine, Welborn Clinic, Evansville, Indiana. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byHyperkalemic paralysis in primary adrenal insufficiencyAcute Quadriplegia From HyperkalemiaAddison’s disease and the regulation of potassium: The role of insulin and aldosteroneDisorders of MuscleDisorders of MuscleHyperkalemia and Coma Associated with Renal Tubular Acidosis in an Old Patient with Refractory Edema Due to the Nephrotic Syndrome: Furosemide-Bicarbonate TherapyDie zentralnervöse klinische Symptomatologie der akuten und chronischen NiereninsuffizienzHyperkalemic intermittent paralysis associated with spironolactone in a patient with cardiac cirrhosisSevere Symptomatic Hyperkalemia in an Adrenalectomized Woman Due to Enhanced Mineralocorticoid RequirementWILLIAM H. DAUGHADAY, M.D., DAVID RENDLEMAN, M.D.Water and electrolyte metabolism in adrenal and pituitary insufficiency 1 September 1962Volume 57, Issue 3Page: 461-463KeywordsAutopsyHypoglycemiaParalysisSkeletal muscles ePublished: 1 December 2008 Issue Published: 1 September 1962 PDF downloadLoading ...