[Celiac crisis with quadriplegia due to potassium depletion as presenting feature of celiac disease].

INTRODUCTION

Adult coeliac disease revealed by coeliac crisis and quadriplegia due to potassium depletion is an extremely rare situation.

CASE REPORT: A 26-year-old woman presented with a suddenly developed weakness of all four limbs and a severe diarrhea. Authors emphasize coeliac crisis, which is a presenting feature of coeliac disease, characterized by acute diarrhea with life-threatening acid base and electrolyte abnormalities. The patient improved with correction of hypokalemia and gluten-free diet.

CONCLUSION

A severe acute diarrhea with metabolic and systemic complications, the so-called coeliac crisis, is a possible presenting clinical feature of a previously undiagnosed adult celiac disease.