title: Cramps and tingling: A diagnostic conundrum.
abstract: Tetany a syndrome of sharp flexion of the wrist and ankle joints (carpopedal spasm), muscle twitching, cramps and convulsions, sometimes with an attack of stridor, is due to hyperexcitability of nerves and muscles caused by decreased extracellular ionized calcium. Hyperventilation secondary to anxiety can result in tetany. We report a case of hyperventilation induced tetany 2 h following spinal anesthesia for inguinal hernia repair.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, NRI Medical College, Chinnakakani, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Mrunalini
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Parasa
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, NRI Medical College, Chinnakakani, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Shaik Mastan
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Saheb
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, NRI Medical College, Chinnakakani, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Nagendra Nath
authors.initials: NN
authors.lastname: Vemuri
keywords: Asthma; hyperventilation; hypocalcemia; ionized calcium; respiratory alkalosis; tetany