Spectrum of Disorders associated with Tetany. 2023

Gouranga Santra
Professor, Department of General Medicine, Deben Mahata Government Medical College & Hospital, Hatuara, Purulia, West Bengal, India; Corresponding Author.

BACKGROUND Awareness regarding the etiological spectrum of tetany is poor among physicians. Because of poor awareness, tetany is underdiagnosed and undertreated. METHODS Databases like PubMed, PubMed Central, Scopus, and Google Scholar are searched to identify peer-reviewed articles on tetany. Case reports, case series, and original articles are analyzed to identify different causes of tetany prevalent in the community. Different causes found are analyzed and tabulated, and finally, a flowchart is made on the approach for diagnosing different underlying pathologies of tetany. RESULTS Both metabolic and respiratory alkalosis are important causes of tetany because of reduced ionized calcium levels. Gitelman syndrome (GS) is associated with metabolic alkalosis, hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia and hypocalciuria, and frequently causes normocalcemic tetany. Recurrent vomiting and primary hyperaldosteronism also cause tetany due to metabolic alkalosis. Hyperventilation syndrome (HVS) leads to respiratory alkalosis and is a frequent cause of tetany. Hyperventilation-induced tetany is also seen after spinal anesthesia and in respiratory disorders like asthma. Vitamin D deficiency (VDD), primary hypoparathyroidism, and pseudohypoparathyroidism (PHP) (1a, 1b, and 2) cause hypocalcemic tetany. Hypomagnesemia causes hypocalcemia and tetany due to peripheral parathyroid hormone resistance and impaired parathyroid hormone secretion. Drugs causing tetany include bisphosphonates, denosumab, cisplatin, antiepileptics, aminoglycosides, diuretics, etc. Tetany is also seen in acute pancreatitis, dengue, falciparum malaria, hyperemesis gravidarum, tumor lysis syndrome (TLS), massive blood transfusion, etc. Conclusion: The spectrum of disorders associated with tetany is diverse. Awareness of different causes will help early and proper diagnosis of tetany.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D006985 Hyperventilation A pulmonary ventilation rate faster than is metabolically necessary for the exchange of gases. It is the result of an increased frequency of breathing, an increased tidal volume, or a combination of both. It causes an excess intake of oxygen and the blowing off of carbon dioxide. Hyperventilations
D006996 Hypocalcemia Reduction of the blood calcium below normal. Manifestations include hyperactive deep tendon reflexes, Chvostek's sign, muscle and abdominal cramps, and carpopedal spasm. (Dorland, 27th ed) Hypocalcemias
D008274 Magnesium A metallic element that has the atomic symbol Mg, atomic number 12, and atomic weight 24.31. It is important for the activity of many enzymes, especially those involved in OXIDATIVE PHOSPHORYLATION.
D010195 Pancreatitis INFLAMMATION of the PANCREAS. Pancreatitis is classified as acute unless there are computed tomographic or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatographic findings of CHRONIC PANCREATITIS (International Symposium on Acute Pancreatitis, Atlanta, 1992). The two most common forms of acute pancreatitis are ALCOHOLIC PANCREATITIS and gallstone pancreatitis. Acute Edematous Pancreatitis,Acute Pancreatitis,Pancreatic Parenchyma with Edema,Pancreatic Parenchymal Edema,Pancreatitis, Acute,Pancreatitis, Acute Edematous,Peripancreatic Fat Necrosis,Acute Edematous Pancreatitides,Acute Pancreatitides,Edema, Pancreatic Parenchymal,Edematous Pancreatitides, Acute,Edematous Pancreatitis, Acute,Fat Necrosis, Peripancreatic,Necrosis, Peripancreatic Fat,Pancreatic Parenchymal Edemas,Pancreatitides, Acute,Pancreatitides, Acute Edematous,Parenchymal Edema, Pancreatic,Peripancreatic Fat Necroses
D010281 Parathyroid Hormone A polypeptide hormone (84 amino acid residues) secreted by the PARATHYROID GLANDS which performs the essential role of maintaining intracellular CALCIUM levels in the body. Parathyroid hormone increases intracellular calcium by promoting the release of CALCIUM from BONE, increases the intestinal absorption of calcium, increases the renal tubular reabsorption of calcium, and increases the renal excretion of phosphates. Natpara,PTH (1-84),PTH(1-34),Parathormone,Parathyrin,Parathyroid Hormone (1-34),Parathyroid Hormone (1-84),Parathyroid Hormone Peptide (1-34),Hormone, Parathyroid
D002118 Calcium A basic element found in nearly all tissues. It is a member of the alkaline earth family of metals with the atomic symbol Ca, atomic number 20, and atomic weight 40. Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body and combines with phosphorus to form calcium phosphate in the bones and teeth. It is essential for the normal functioning of nerves and muscles and plays a role in blood coagulation (as factor IV) and in many enzymatic processes. Coagulation Factor IV,Factor IV,Blood Coagulation Factor IV,Calcium-40,Calcium 40,Factor IV, Coagulation
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000208 Acute Disease Disease having a short and relatively severe course. Acute Diseases,Disease, Acute,Diseases, Acute
D000471 Alkalosis A pathological condition that removes acid or adds base to the body fluids. Alkaloses
D000472 Alkalosis, Respiratory A state due to excess loss of carbon dioxide from the body. (Dorland, 27th ed) Respiratory Alkalosis,Alkaloses, Respiratory,Respiratory Alkaloses

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