Extreme hyperkalaemia secondary to malignant ureteric obstruction: Case report

Abstract

We report a case of a 42 year old patient who collapsed at an airport departure lounge. The patient was investigated and found to have advanced renal failure with serum potassium (K+) of 10.3 mmol/L, creatinine of 3581 μmol/L and urea of 59.9 mmol/L secondary to obstructive uropathy due to advanced bladder cancer. Although these biochemical changes were thought to be incompatible with life, he made a slow recovery following haemodialysis and insertion of bilateral percutaneous nephrostomy tubes.