Licorice-induced hypokalemia as a treatable cause of dropped head syndrome.
Isolated weakness of the extensor muscles of the neck is a relatively rare condition, known as "dropped head syndrome" (DHS). This paper reports the case of a patient with DHS whose symptoms resolved rapidly on supplementation with potassium and discontinuation of licorice consumption. To the best of our knowledge, there are no reports in the literature of DHS due to licorice-induced hypokalemia.
Yoshida
Sonoyo
S
Department of Neurology, Fukui Red Cross Hospital, Fukui, Japan.
Takayama
Yoshihiro
Y
D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006035:Glycyrrhiza / Q000506:poisoning*; D006257:Head; D006801:Humans; D007008:Hypokalemia / Q000209:etiology*; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000209:etiology*; D009334:Neck Muscles / Q000473:pathology*; D011188:Potassium / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013577:Syndrome
D011188:Potassium