Metabolic alkalosis masked presentation of diabetic ketoacidosis: A case report

Clin Case Rep. 2023 Nov 27;11(12):e8250. doi: 10.1002/ccr3.8250. eCollection 2023 Dec.

Abstract

Managing mixed acid-base disorders can be diagnostically challenging, particularly when metabolic acidosis and metabolic alkalosis occur simultaneously. When dealing with metabolic alkalosis, a comprehensive approach involves taking a detailed medical history, assessing volume status, and performing urine chloride analysis. Routine calculation of the anion gap is important to identify masked wide anion gap metabolic acidosis. We report a case of a 32-year-old female with type 1 diabetes mellitus, presented with intractable vomiting for 2 days with hyperglycemia, hypokalemia, and metabolic alkalosis, along with a wide anion gap. She was diagnosed with "diabetic ketoalkalosis" due to diabetic ketoacidosis combined with vomiting-induced metabolic alkalosis. She became clinically stable after resuscitation with normal saline, intravenous potassium, and intravenous insulin.

Keywords: diabetic ketoacidosis; gastric alkalosis; ketoalkalosis; metabolic alkalosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports