THYROTOXIC PERIODIC PARALYSIS AND CHOREA : TWO UNCOMMON NEUROMUSCULAR COMPLICATIONS AS PRESENTING SYMPTOMS IN AN ADOLESCENT WITH NEWLY DIAGNOSED GRAVES ’ DISEASE : A CASE REPORT

Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis (TPP) and chorea are uncommon neurological complications of hyperthyroidism. Here, we report and describe a case of 14-year-old boy who presented with both TPP and chorea at his initial presentation with signs and symptoms of Graves’ disease. After diagnosis, a combination of methimazole (MMI) and propranolol were started to control hyperthyroidism. TPP resolved completely within 48 hours after hypokalemia was corrected with potassium supplementation. Chorea gradually resolved over a period of 4 weeks. The pathogenesis of TPP and chorea in hyperthyroidism was reviewed herein. In addition, this report highlights a clinical importance for awareness of these neurological complications in children with hyperthyroidism, since they may be the only presenting symptoms of hyperthyroidism and could be confusing with the diagnosis of genuine neuromuscular disorders.

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