Korean Journal of Family Medicine

Quetiapine-induced hypokalemic periodic paralysis in a pregnant woman: a case report: Muhammad Hafiz Mohamed Pauzi, Azidah Abdul Kadir, Syaheedatul Iman Dinsuhaimi, Zainab Mat Yudin, Wan Nazirah Wan Yusuf; Korean J Fam Med 2025;46(2):115-119. Published online March 19, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4082/kjfm.24.0301

Abstract
PDF

Quetiapine-induced hypokalemic periodic paralysis (QIHPP) is a rare condition. Herein, we present the case of a 31-year-old pregnant Malay woman diagnosed with bipolar II disorder and QIHPP. She presented to the casualty department with a 2-day history of bilateral lower limb weakness and numbness. Her renal function tests showed moderate hypokalemia (2.5 mmol/L), whereas other investigations were normal. Quetiapine was suspected to be the cause, prompting a psychiatric referral to manage her acute condition. Balancing the risks of untreated QIHPP against the potential relapse of bipolar symptoms from quetiapine discontinuation or dosage reduction poses a significant treatment challenge for pregnant women with QIHPP. Finally, we reduced the quetiapine dosage after careful consideration, leading to the normalization of potassium levels and symptom resolution. Therefore, clinicians should be aware of this side effect when initiating or continuing quetiapine treatment in women of childbearing age or pregnant women with psychiatric disorders. It is crucial to monitor serum electrolytes, especially potassium, following quetiapine administration and warn patients about its potential side effects.

486 View
56 Download

Synchronous Occurrence of Bilateral Malignant Otitis Externa: Report of a Rare Case: Nur Adillah Lamry, Khairunnisak Misron, Tengku Mohamed Izam Tengku Kamalden, Azliana Aziz, Rosdan Salim; Korean J Fam Med 2021;42(6):483-486. Published online May 27, 2020; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4082/kjfm.20.0071

Abstract
PDF

Malignant otitis externa (MOE) is a rare and potentially life-threatening disease of the ear and temporal bone. Bilateral simultaneous MOE is extremely rare. Due to bilaterally symmetrical facial nerve palsy, it can easily be missed at the initial presentation, causing delay in management. Here, we report a case of bilateral MOE managed aggressively with regular ear toileting, ear packing with a ribbon gauze soaked with topical antimicrobials, and long-term intravenous and oral antibiotics. The patient showed good improvement in pain control, facial nerve status, and ear findings.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

External Auditory Canal Erosion at the 6 O’clock Spot
Mounika Naidu Boya, Nicole Blumenstein, Miriam Redleaf
Otology & Neurotology.2024; 45(8): e581. CrossRef
Imaging of Pathologies of the Temporal Bone and Middle Ear: Inflammatory Diseases, Their Mimics and Potential Complications—Pictorial Review
Christopher Kloth, Annika Beck, Nico Sollmann, Meinrad Beer, Marius Horger, Wolfgang Maximilian Thaiss
Tomography.2023; 9(6): 2190. CrossRef

8,015 View
82 Download
2 Web of Science
2 Crossref

Monolimb Paralysis after Laparoscopic Appendectomy Due to Conversion Disorder: Gihyeong Ryu, Sung Hyuk Song, Kyeong Hwan Lee; Korean J Fam Med 2014;35(6):321-324. Published online November 21, 2014; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4082/kjfm.2014.35.6.321

Abstract
PDF

Limb paralysis can develop for various reasons. We found a 13-year-old patient who became paralyzed in her lower extremities after laparoscopic appendectomy. Some tests, including electrodiagnostic studies and magnetic resonance imaging, were performed to evaluate the cause of lower limb paralysis. None of the tests yielded definite abnormal findings. We subsequently decided to explore the possibility of psychological problems. The patient was treated with simultaneous rehabilitation and psychological counseling. Paralysis of the patient's lower extremity improved gradually and the patient returned to normal life. Our findings indicate that psychological problems can be related to limb paralysis without organ damage in patients who have undergone laparoscopic surgical procedures.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

An Unusual Case of Post-Operative Functional Stridor After Emergence From General Anesthesia
Prakash Deb, Jabed Ahmed, Hanifa Akhtar, Kaustuv Dutta, Mohd Yunus
Cureus.2023;[Epub] CrossRef
Efficacy of physiotherapy treatments in children and adolescents with somatic symptom disorder and other related disorders: systematic review of the literature
Roberta Sartori, Antimo Tessitore, Aurora Della Torca, Egidio Barbi
Italian Journal of Pediatrics.2022;[Epub] CrossRef