Pituitary macroadenoma: a rare cause of thyrotoxic hypokalaemic periodic paralysis.

Abstract

Thyrotoxic hypokalaemic periodic palsy (THPP) is a well-recognised but under-diagnosed complication of hyperthyroidism and is commonly seen in Asian males. Patients usually present fully conscious with acute onset of severe motor weakness. Baseline investigation reveals severe hypokalaemia due to Na(+)/K(+) ATPase overactivity causing a massive influx of intracellular potassium ions. The most common cause of THPP identified in the medical literature is Graves' disease. We report an interesting and unusual case of THPP due to previously undiagnosed hyperthyroidism secondary to a pituitary macroadenoma. The patient was consequently found to have a tumour secreting gonadotropin and thyrotropin.

• Authors: Soumik Ghosh, Ratnakar Sahoo, Sachin Rao, Deepak Rath
• Journal: BMJ case reports (BMJ Case Rep) Vol. 2013 (Feb 06 2013) ISSN: 1757-790X [Electronic] England
• PMID: 23391961 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Thyrotropin

Topics

• Adenoma (complications, metabolism, pathology)
• Adult
• Humans
• Hypokalemia (etiology)
• Male
• Paralysis (etiology)
• Periodicity
• Pituitary Neoplasms (complications, metabolism, pathology)
• Thyrotoxicosis (etiology)
• Thyrotropin (metabolism)