Clinical Analysis of Thyrotoxic Periodic Paralysis

J Korean Neurol Assoc > Volume 13(2); 1995 > Article

Journal of the Korean Neurological Association 1995;13(2): 284-290.

갑상선 중독 주기성 마비의 임상적 고찰

김경원, 변인환, 윤혜정, 이태규, 김장락, 하충건, 임병훈

경상대학교 신경과. 예방의학교실

Clinical Analysis of Thyrotoxic Periodic Paralysis

Gyeong Won Kim, M.D., In Hwan Byen, M.D., Hae Jung Yun, M.D., Tae Gyu Lee, M.D., Jang Rak Kim, M.D., Choong Kun Ha, M.D., Byeong Hoon Lim, M.D.

Department of Neurology, Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Gyeongsang National University

Abstract

Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis (TPP) is associated with hypokalemia and occurs sporadically and usually in young adult males. We report ten cases with TPP ; all were males, mean onset age was 32.4 years old. The duration of attack. Varied from 10 to 18 hours. The distribution of paralysis was confined to limb muscles; more severe in proximal limbs and lower extremities. Potassium levels during acute attack correlated with the severity of paralysis and ECG changes, but not with the severity of decrease in TSH level. In all cases, administration of potassium salts was successful in treatment of acute attack. A patient had further attack in spite of euthyroid state under the treatment of thyrotoxicosis for one year. Another patient was free from paralytic attacks by chronic administration of the potassium salt and acetazolamide without treatment of thyrotoxicosis.