title: Hypokalemic muscular paralysis causing acute respiratory failure due to rhabdomyolysis with renal tubular acidosis in a chronic glue sniffer.
abstract: A 34-year-old male was admitted to the emergency department with the development of quadriparesis and respiratory failure due to hypokalemia after prolonged glue sniffing. The patient was subsequently given mechanical ventilatory support for respiratory failure. He was weaned from the ventilator 4 days later after potassium replacement. Toluene is an aromatic hydrocarbon found in glues, cements, and solvents. It is known to be toxic to the nervous system, hematopoietic system, and causes acid-base and electrolyte disorders. Acute respiratory failure with hypokalemia and rhabdomyolysis with acute renal failure should be considered as potential events in a protracted glue sniffing.
authors.affiliation: Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: K C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Kao
authors.forename: Y H
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: C Y
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Tsao
authors.forename: Y C
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000141:Acidosis, Renal Tubular / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D000208:Acute Disease; D000269:Adhesives / Q000506:poisoning*; D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D007008:Hypokalemia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D012206:Rhabdomyolysis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D014050:Toluene / Q000506:poisoning
chemical_list: D000269:Adhesives; D014050:Toluene