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dc.contributor.authorQuinlan, C S
dc.contributor.authorWalsh, J C
dc.contributor.authorMoran, A-M
dc.contributor.authorMoran, C
dc.contributor.authorO'Rourke, S K
dc.date.accessioned2012-02-01T10:32:57Z
dc.date.available2012-02-01T10:32:57Z
dc.date.issued2012-02-01T10:32:57Z
dc.identifier.citationJ Bone Joint Surg Br. 2011 Feb;93(2):266-8.en_GB
dc.identifier.issn0301-620X (Print)en_GB
dc.identifier.issn0301-620X (Linking)en_GB
dc.identifier.pmid21282770en_GB
dc.identifier.doi10.1302/0301-620X.93B2.25700en_GB
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10147/207615
dc.description.abstractWe describe a case of bilateral weakness of the lower limbs, sensory disturbance and intermittent urinary incontinence, secondary to untreated Gitelman's syndrome, in a 42-year-old female who was referred with presumed cauda equina syndrome. On examination, the power of both legs was uniformly reduced, and the perianal and lower-limb sensation was altered. However, MRI of the lumbar spine was normal. Measurements of serum and urinary potassium were low and blood gas analysis revealed metabolic alkalosis. Her symptoms resolved following potassium replacement. We emphasise the importance of measurement of the plasma and urinary levels of electrolytes in the investigation of patients with paralysis of the lower limbs and suggest that they, together with blood gas analysis, allow the exclusion of unusual causes of muscle weakness resulting from metabolic disorders such as metabolic alkalosis.
dc.language.isoengen_GB
dc.subject.meshAdulten_GB
dc.subject.meshDiagnosis, Differentialen_GB
dc.subject.meshFemaleen_GB
dc.subject.meshGitelman Syndrome/*diagnosisen_GB
dc.subject.meshHumansen_GB
dc.subject.meshPolyradiculopathy/*diagnosisen_GB
dc.subject.meshPotassium/blood/urineen_GB
dc.titleGitelman's syndrome: a rare presentation mimicking cauda equina syndrome.en_GB
dc.contributor.departmentDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Elm Park,, Dublin 4, Ireland. christinequinlan@rcsi.ieen_GB
dc.identifier.journalThe Journal of bone and joint surgery. British volumeen_GB
dc.description.provinceLeinster
html.description.abstractWe describe a case of bilateral weakness of the lower limbs, sensory disturbance and intermittent urinary incontinence, secondary to untreated Gitelman's syndrome, in a 42-year-old female who was referred with presumed cauda equina syndrome. On examination, the power of both legs was uniformly reduced, and the perianal and lower-limb sensation was altered. However, MRI of the lumbar spine was normal. Measurements of serum and urinary potassium were low and blood gas analysis revealed metabolic alkalosis. Her symptoms resolved following potassium replacement. We emphasise the importance of measurement of the plasma and urinary levels of electrolytes in the investigation of patients with paralysis of the lower limbs and suggest that they, together with blood gas analysis, allow the exclusion of unusual causes of muscle weakness resulting from metabolic disorders such as metabolic alkalosis.


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