The olfactory phenomenon in hyperkalemic periodic paralysis
Aver'ianov, I.N.
Zhurnal Nevropatologii i Psikhiatrii Imeni S.S. Korsakova 84(3): 349-351
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0044-4588 PMID: 6720174 Document Number: 231851
Out of six patients with hyperkaliemic periodic paralysis observed by the authors, two reported the sensation of the odor of ammonium hydroxide at the moment of paralysis. The study of the ammonia concentration in the venous blood of the patients at the moment of myoplegia attacks showed its sharp increase. The elevated content of ammonia in the blood and the exhaled air responsible for the above olfactory phenomenon is associated with the compromised ammonia clearance by the kidneys due to hyperkaliemia .