[The olfactory phenomenon in hyperkalemic periodic paralysis]

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 .