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Journal of The Korean Society of Emergency Medicine 1996;7(2): 299-303. |
| TWO CASES OF THYROTOXIC HYPOKALEMIC PERIODIC PARALYSIS |
| Seung Pil Choi1, Kyeung Ho Choi1, Byung Ho Nah1, Dong Rul Oh1, Ju Il Hwang1, Seung Jin Yu2, Se Kyeung Kim1 |
1Department of Emergency Medicine, Catholic University Medical College
2Department of General Surgery, Catholic University Medical College |
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Published online: June 30, 1996. |
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| ABSTRACT |
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Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis occurs primarily in Orientals with an overwhelming male preponderance and a higher association of specific HLA antigens. Clinical manifestations include onset after high carbohydrate ingestion or heavy exertion with progressive symmetric weakness leading to flaccid paralysis of the extremities and other muscle groups, lasting several hours. Other precipitating facters include trauma, infection, administration of epinephrine, thyroid hormone, or corticosteroid. If hypokalemia is present, potassium administration may help abort the attack. Although propranolol can be efficacious in preventing further episodes, the only definitive treatment is euthyroid state. The pathophysiology is still controversal, but reflects altered potassium and calcium dynamics as well as certain morphologic characteristics within the muscle unit itself.
We discribed two patients with thyrotoxic periodic paralysis who had a no familial history of paralysis and had a decreased level of serum potassium during attack.
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| Key words:
Hyperthyroidism, Periodic paralysis |
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