First case study of periodic hypokalemic thyreotoxic paresis with partial respiratory insufficiency and concomitant sinus bradycardia

Wien Med Wochenschr. 2009;159(5-6):156-9. doi: 10.1007/s10354-009-0644-1.

Abstract

This report describes the case of a 29-year-old Chechen refugee with periodic hypokalemic thyreotoxic tetraparesis (PHTP). Besides a partial respiratory insufficiency, the patient was also presented with sinus bradycardia. Medical literature describes several cases of thyreotoxicosis in combination with bradycardia. For the first time, we were able to observe a case of PHTP in combination with sinus bradycardia. PHTP is rarely seen in central Europe. In this case establishing a final diagnosis was difficult because of the concomitant presence of bradycardia and Graves' disease.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Arrhythmia, Sinus / complications*
  • Arrhythmia, Sinus / diagnosis
  • Arrhythmia, Sinus / therapy
  • Bradycardia / complications*
  • Bradycardia / diagnosis
  • Bradycardia / therapy
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Graves Disease / complications*
  • Graves Disease / diagnosis
  • Graves Disease / therapy
  • Humans
  • Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis / complications*
  • Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis / diagnosis
  • Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis / therapy
  • Male
  • Potassium / therapeutic use
  • Quadriplegia / complications*
  • Quadriplegia / diagnosis
  • Quadriplegia / therapy
  • Recurrence
  • Respiratory Insufficiency / complications*
  • Respiratory Insufficiency / diagnosis
  • Respiratory Insufficiency / therapy
  • Thyroidectomy
  • Thyrotoxicosis / complications*
  • Thyrotoxicosis / diagnosis
  • Thyrotoxicosis / therapy
  • Thyroxine / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Thyroxine
  • Potassium