Ultrasound of the diaphragm in severe hypokalemia induced diaphragmatic dysfunction

Abstract

Severe hypokalemia presents with significant muscle weakness and involvement of respiratory muscles. Bedside ultrasonography of the diaphragm is emerging as a noninvasive bedside tool for diagnosis and followup of diaphragmatic dysfunction due to various causes. Here, we present a case of diaphragmatic dysfunction due to severe hypokalemia. The patient presented with acute onset quadriparesis that rapidly improved with correction of hypokalemia. The clinical and laboratory parameters correlated well with the findings of diaphragm ultrasound, both initially and after correction of hypokalemia.

Keywords

• Diaphragm ultrasound
• diaphragmatic dysfunction
• hypokalemia