title: Severe hypokalemia as a cause of acute transient paraplegia following electrical shock.
abstract: Transient lower extremity paralysis has been previously reported following high voltage electrical injury. The following case report describes an unusual presentation of transient acute flaccid lower extremity paralysis following a high voltage electrical injury associated with profound hypokalemia and acid/base abnormalities similar to the periodic paralysis syndrome. The patient's symptoms resolved with correction of severe hypokalemia. Potential mechanisms for a metabolic neuromuscular disorder induced by electrical injury are proposed.
authors.affiliation: Sumner Redstone Burn Center, Surgical Services, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Bigelow 1302, Boston 02114, USA.
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Dasgupta
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Schulz
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Ryan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004556:Electric Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007008:Hypokalemia / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000209:etiology*; D017419:Potassium, Dietary / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D017419:Potassium, Dietary