A Clinical Analysis of 40 Cases with Hypokalemic Paralysis

Objective: The diagnosis and treatment of hypokalemic paralysis were discussed.Methods: The general conditions,clinical manifestation,ancillary investigations,diagnostic classification and the therapy of 40 patients with hypokalemic paralysis were retrospectively assessed.Results: The attacks of hypokalemic paralysis tended to affect adolescent or middle-aged men.Each episode frequently occurred at night or in the morning. During attacks,the extremities were symmetrically paralyzed,with much less severe respiratory weakness.The seral potassium levels were decreased during attacks and shifted rapidly to normal range when supplemented by potassium chloride. One case was found to have a family history of the same disease out of 20 cases of primary hypokalemic paralysis.Two cases had adrenocortical tumor;2 cases renal tubular acidosis,and 16 cases hyperthyroidism in the group.Oral KCL was the treatment of choice.At the same time,treating the etiology must be emphasized.Conclusion: Recognition of clinical manifestation,prompt diagnosis and reasonable treatment of hypokalemic paralysis will yield a satisfactory relief of attacks.