A Case of Sudden-Onset Flaccid Paralysis In a Previously Healthy Person

Femina Patel; Chris Mehdizadeh; Prashila Amatya; Parash Bhakta; Estevan Torrez Andia

doi:10.7759/cureus.37906

A Case of Sudden-Onset Flaccid Paralysis In a Previously Healthy Person

Cureus. 2023 Apr 20;15(4):e37906. doi: 10.7759/cureus.37906. eCollection 2023 Apr.

Authors

Femina Patel¹, Chris Mehdizadeh¹, Prashila Amatya¹, Parash Bhakta², Estevan Torrez Andia³

Affiliations

¹ Internal Medicine, University of California, Riverside School of Medicine, Riverside, USA.
² Internal Medicine, University of California, Riverside College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Riverside, USA.
³ Internal Medicine, University of California, Riverside University Health System, Riverside, USA.

Abstract

Flaccid paralysis is a neurological syndrome characterized by weakness and paralysis of the limbs, followed by reduced muscle tone. Common causes of flaccid paralysis include blockage of the anterior spinal artery, trauma to the spinal cord, cancer, arterial disease, or thrombosis. A potential differential diagnosis in a 35-year-old male presenting with sudden-onset flaccid paralysis with no history of trauma is hypokalemic periodic paralysis. Treatment with potassium can alleviate symptoms in affected patients. .

Keywords: flaccid paralysis; hypokalemia; hypokalemic periodic paralysis; paraplegia in young; sudden onset weakness.

Publication types

Case Reports