McKittrick-Wheelock syndrome: a rare cause of life-threatening electrolyte disturbances and volume depletion.

BACKGROUND

It is uncommon for emergency physicians to discover a patient with circulatory failure resulting from chronic diarrhea.

OBJECTIVES

We describe McKittrick-Wheelock syndrome, a rare disorder characterized by volume and electrolyte depletion and caused by colonic neoplasm.

CASE REPORT

The case of a 30-year-old woman who came to the Emergency Department with hypovolemic shock, hyponatremia, and hypokalemia with a background of chronic diarrhea is reported. The hypokalemia and dehydration were refractory to aggressive replacement therapy. Her condition was the result of fluid and electrolyte hypersecretion caused by a colonic adenocarcinoma and colonic polyposis. Surgical removal of the colon and subsequent volume and electrolyte replacement therapy resulted in complete recovery.

CONCLUSION

This case is presented to increase awareness among emergency physicians of the rare disorder of McKittrick-Wheelock syndrome.