Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis: two new cases in Blacks]

Thyreotoxic hypokalemic periodic paralysis (THPP) has mainly been described in Asian people. It is rare in Caucasians, and only 12 cases were reported in Blacks.We report two cases of THPP in black patients. Hypokalemia was important in case number 1, leading to severe flaccid tetraplegia with respiratory and cardiac complications, but was only mild in case number 2. Complete relief of paralysis was observed under potassic treatment in the first case and spontaneously in the second one. Hyperthyroidism was established only on the basis of biological tests in case number 1, and had been previously diagnosed but undertreated in case number 2.Whatever the patient's race, acute paralysis with hypokalemia requires testing for hyperthyroidism, even in the absence of suggestive clinical signs.