Case Report

Hypokalemic Rhabdomyolysis Due to Watery Diarrhea, Hypokalemia, Achlorhydria (WDHA) Syndrome Caused by Vipoma

Authors: Rizwan Kibria MD, Sameer Ahmed MD, Syed A. Ali MD, Christopher J. Barde MD

Abstract

Abstract:Mild hypokalemia is common and encountered in a multitude of diseases, but severe hypokalemia leading to rhabdomyolysis is relatively rare. The watery diarrhea, hypokalemia, achlorhydria (WDHA) syndrome caused by vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)-producing tumors, is an extremely rare cause of hypokalemic rhabdomyolysis and the literature is limited to one case report. We report a second case of an adult who presented with rhabdomyolysis due to severe hypokalemia. Further evaluation revealed that he had a VIP-producing pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (NET), which was the cause of his hypokalemic rhabdomyolysis. Although rare in occurrence, a high index of suspicion is of paramount importance for establishing the correct diagnosis and treatment.

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