Life-Threatening Hypokalemic Quadriplegia in a Postoperative Patient

J Coll Physicians Surg Pak. 2018 Mar;28(3):S5-S6. doi: 10.29271/jcpsp.2018.03.S5.

Abstract

Acute hypokalemic paralysis is a reversible but potentially lethal clinical condition. We report a case, who developed rapidonset quadriparesis in immediate postoperative period after undergoing right percutaneous nephrolithotomy for bilateral renal stones. On evaluation, she was found to have hypernatremic, hyperchloremic, hypokalemic acidosis. This severe hypokalemia-induced quadriparesis was precipitated by repeated furosemide injections, use of potassium-free fluid as maintenance, intracellular shift due to free water administration in this patient, who had pre-existing distal renal tubular acidosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Pain / etiology
  • Acidosis, Renal Tubular / complications*
  • Female
  • Furosemide / adverse effects*
  • Hematuria / etiology
  • Humans
  • Hypernatremia
  • Hypokalemia / drug therapy
  • Hypokalemia / etiology*
  • Infusion Pumps
  • Kidney Calculi / surgery*
  • Nephrolithotomy, Percutaneous / adverse effects*
  • Postoperative Period
  • Potassium Chloride / administration & dosage*
  • Quadriplegia / etiology*
  • Sodium Potassium Chloride Symporter Inhibitors / adverse effects*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Sodium Potassium Chloride Symporter Inhibitors
  • Potassium Chloride
  • Furosemide