Profound muscle weakness and hypokalemia due to clay ingestion |
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| Authors: | H W Severance T Holt N A Patrone L Chapman |
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| Institution: | Department of Emergency Medicine, East Carolina University School of Medicine, Greenville, NC 27834. |
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| Abstract: | We have presented the case of a 43-year-old woman with severe myositis due to clay ingestion and hypokalemia. EMG studies revealed a pattern consistent with myositis, and muscle biopsy showed a nonspecific diffuse myositis. The clay was shown to act as a potassium binder. With potassium replacement and discontinuance of clay ingestion, the symptoms and signs abated and laboratory values returned to normal. |
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