[Chronic normocalcemic constitutional tetany: clinic and etiopathogenic aspects. Description of a case]

Tetany is a state of hyperexcitability of the central and peripheral nervous system due to abnormal concentrations of serum electrolytes. However tetanic individuals without any detectable abnormalities, are also encountered. This last condition has been named "chronic normocalcemic tetany or spasmophilia". The case here reported, allows the authors to review the literature concerning normocalcemic tetany and let them focus on two similar and sometimes overlapping entities, spasmophilia and hyperventilation syndrome, both common causes of recurrent, atypical symptoms and tetany.