title: McKittrick-Wheelock syndrome: a rare cause of acute renal failure and hypokalemia not to be overlooked.
abstract: McKittrick-Wheelock syndrome is a rare disorder in which a colorectal tumor (usually a villous adenoma) determines secretory mucous diarrhea, which in turn leads to prerenal acute renal failure, hyponatremia, hypokalemia and metabolic acidosis. Even though the outcome is usually favorable with complete recovery after surgery, the diagnosis is often delayed, making the patient susceptible to life-threatening complications, mainly severe acidosis and hypokalemia. We present two paradigmatic cases with extreme electrolytes imbalance and complete recovery following the appropriate treatment. The pathogenesis of this degenerative condition is discussed in detail.
authors.affiliation: Nephrology and Dialysis Unit, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center , Rozzano, Milan , Italy and.
authors.forename: Manuel Alfredo
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Podestà
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cucchiari
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Merizzoli
authors.forename: Ugo
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Elmore
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Angelini
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Badalamenti
mesh_terms: D058186:Acute Kidney Injury / Q000209:etiology*; D018253:Adenoma, Villous / Q000150:complications*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007008:Hypokalemia / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D013577:Syndrome
keywords: Acute renal failure; hypokalemia; hyponatremia; metabolic acidosis; villous adenoma