MELVIN L. FAW, M.D.; ROBERT W. EWER, M.D.
Paralysis caused by hyperkalemia has been reported as a complication of Addison's disease in 5 instances (1-5). The patient to be described is of interest because he had long-standing and frequent episodes of intermittent paralysis of skeletal muscle with repeated spontaneous recovery. Addison's disease was confirmed by clinical and autopsy findings. To our knowledge, periodic neuromuscular disturbances of this type associated with chronic adrenal insufficiency have not been previously observed.
A 28-year-old white male was well until the age of 17 years (1951) when he had a tonsillectomy. Following the procedure he became weak, hypotensive, and lethargic, and
FAW ML, EWER RW. Intermittent Paralysis and Chronic Adrenal Insufficiency. Ann Intern Med. ;57:461–463. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-57-3-461
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© 2019
Published: Ann Intern Med. 1962;57(3):461-463.
DOI: 10.7326/0003-4819-57-3-461
Adrenal Disorders, Endocrine and Metabolism, Neurology.
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