Hyperkalemic Neuromyopathy in Addison's Disease

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Abstract
ALTHOUGH a deficiency of adrenocortical hormones is commonly associated with potassium retention, clinical manifestations of hyperkalemia in untreated Addison's disease are quite rare.1 However, a Landry type of rapidly ascending muscular weakness that leads to flaccid quadriplegia but tends to preserve cerebration and cranial-nerve function is occasionally observed with the high serum potassium levels accompanying renal insufficiency.2 3 4 These patients die from the neuromyocardial effect of excess potassium ion.Although it is recognized that the administration of potassium salts to patients with Addison's disease5 , 6 and even to normal subjects7 may induce profound muscle weakness, cramps and vivid olfactory and cutaneous paresthesias, . . .

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