Barium is a potent, non-specific inhibitor of the potassium IRC current and affects all types of muscle at micromolar concentrations. Gastrointestinal symptoms frequently occur early in the course of barium poisoning. Hypokalemia resulting from an intracellular shift of potassium and the direct effect of barium at the potassium channels explain the cardiac arrhythmias and muscle weakness which commonly occur in barium poisoning. Treatment of barium poisoning is mainly supportive. Orally administered sulfate salts to form insoluble barium sulfate in the intestinal tract and potassium supplementation have potential but unproven benefit.

No abstract

We present, to our knowledge, the second case of a Actinobacillus ureae septic arthritis in a returning traveller from The Gambia with a past medical history of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance complicated by a severe polyneuropathy of the lower extremities.

No abstract