title: Severe hypokalaemic paralysis from an unusual cause mimicking the Guillain-Barré syndrome.
abstract: We report a case of hypokalaemic quadriparesis occurring 37 years after a bilateral ureterosigmoidostomy. The history and physical signs as well as cerebrospinal fluid analysis initially led to a diagnosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome. Acidosis and profound hypokalaemia were present and a dramatic improvement occurred after rapid correction of the potassium depletion. The underlying mechanism of potassium depletion which occurs after this mode of urinary diversion are briefly discussed.
authors.affiliation: Medical Intensive Care Unit, Hôpital Henri Mondor, Créteil, France.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Valtier
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mion
authors.forename: L H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Pham
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Brochard
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D012809:Colon, Sigmoid / Q000601:surgery; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D006801:Humans; D007008:Hypokalemia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D010243:Paralysis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D011129:Polyradiculoneuropathy / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014513:Ureter / Q000601:surgery