Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 9, 2026

A Novel Method: Super-selective Adrenal Venous Sampling
Published on: September 15, 2017
Periodic drop thumb, hypokalemia and adrenal adenoma
Chi Chui1, Wei-Hsi Chen, Hsin-Ling Yin
1Department of Neurosurgery, Paochien Hospital, Pingtung, Taiwan, ROC.
Objective:
To report an unusual involvement of focal distal muscles but not proximal muscles in a patient with hypokalemic periodic paralysis (hypoPP).
Clinical Presentation And Intervention:
A middle-aged woman presented with episodic weakness of the bilateral thumbs lasting for 2 years. Hypokalemia and a left adrenal mass were subsequently found. Her weakness subsided after surgical removal of the adrenal mass, which was pathologically proven to be an adrenal adenoma.
Conclusion:
The findings for this patient should alert physicians to consider focal distal motor paresis due to hypoPP. A preexisting occult trauma may predispose to paralysis at an atypical location in secondary hypoPP.
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