Abstract

A COMPLEX CONFLUENCE: PARALYTIC ILEUS, ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY, AND HYPOKALEMIA – A CASE REPORT

Jisha Susan Jose*

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Abstract

An 81-year-old male patient presented with complaints of abdominal distension lasting for 20 days, accompanied by nausea persisting for the same duration. Additionally, the patient had been experiencing bilateral lower limb swelling for the past month and appeared drowsy. Following admission, a comprehensive set of investigations was conducted, revealing elevated total white blood cell counts and abnormal renal function test results. Given the patient's deteriorating condition and drowsiness, he was admitted to the Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU). Subsequent diagnosis indicated that the abdominal distension was a result of paralytic ileus, which was accompanied by acute kidney injury and hypokalemia. With appropriate treatment, the patient's symptoms gradually improved, leading to his eventual discharge. This case serves to highlight the intricate interplay between paralytic ileus, Acute Kidney Injury (AKI), and hypokalemia, as further elucidated in the subsequent case study.

Keywords: Paralytic ileus, Hypokalemia, Acute kidney Injury, Abdominal distension.