CiteULike is a free online bibliography manager. Register and you can start organising your references online.

An unusual cause of hypokalemic paralysis: aristolochic acid nephropathy with Fanconi syndrome. Export

Am J Med Sci, Vol. 330, No. 3. (September 2005), pp. 153-155.

Citation Format

[Posts]

View FullText article


brainsman2000's tags for this article

aristolochic-acid

X Reviews [Write a review of this article]

X Find related articles from these CiteULike users

X Find related articles with these CiteULike tags

X Posting History

X Abstract

Aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAN) with Fanconi syndrome presenting as hypokalemic paralysis is extraordinarily rare and may be unrecognized. We describe a 41-year-old man who presented with the inability to ambulate upon awakening in the morning. Physical examination revealed symmetric paralysis of bilateral lower limbs. Laboratory studies showed profound hypokalemia with renal potassium (K) wasting, hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis, hypophosphatemia with hyperphosphaturia, hypouricemia with hyperuricosuria, and glycosuria, consistent with Fanconi syndrome. Mild renal insufficiency was also observed. A meticulous search for underlying causes of Fanconi syndrome was unrevealing. However, a significant amount of aristolochic acid (AA) was detected in the consumed Chinese herb mixture (AA-I, 7 microg/g) for the treatment of his leg edema for the past 2 months. His hypokalemia, renal insufficiency, and Fanconi syndrome completely resolved 2 months after the withdrawal of Chinese herb mixture and the supplementation of potassium citrate and active vitamin D3. AAN with Fanconi syndrome should be considered as a cause of hypokalemia in any patient administered undefined Chinese herbs.


X BibTeX record

X RIS record


Privacy Statement | Terms & Conditions
CiteULike organises scholarly (or academic) papers or literature and provides bibliographic (which means it makes bibliographies) for universities and higher education establishments. It helps undergraduates and postgraduates. People studying for PhDs or in postdoctoral (postdoc) positions. The service is similar in scope to EndNote or RefWorks or any other reference manager like BibTeX, but it is a social bookmarking service for scientists and humanities researchers.