Atypical clinical presentation of distal renal tubular acidosis: a case report registered in Amazonas, Brazil

ABSTRACT We report an unusual case of a 24-year-old girl with a history of recurrent hypokalemic paralysis episodes and skin lesions on the lower limbs and buttocks, both of which had an acute evolution. In subsequent investigations, the patient also had nephrocalcinosis, nephrolithiasis, hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis and persistent alkaline urinary pH. The findings were consistent with distal renal tubular acidosis as the cause of hypokalemic paralysis. Clinical findings, immunological tests and the result of skin biopsy suggested primary Sjögren's syndrome as an underlying cause. The patient developed azotemia due to obstructive nephrolithiasis. All the features presented in this case are an unusual manifestation of distal renal tubular acidosis; so far, we are not aware of a similar report in the literature.