Keywords :
Case report, Cerebellar ataxia, Cerebellar edema, Cerebellar syndrome, Gastrointestinal oncosurgeries, Gut resection, Hypomagnesemia
Citation Information :
Sachan S, Kapoor A, Solanki SL. Severe Hypomagnesemia-induced Cerebellar Ataxia after Major Gastrointestinal Cancer Surgeries: A Report of Two Cases. 2024; 3 (1):24-27.
Magnesium is a major intracellular ion and is vital for optimal body functions. Low serum magnesium levels can lead to many disorders, including severe neurological derangements.
Postoperative patients of gastrointestinal (GI) cancer surgeries are vulnerable to severe magnesium deficiencies due to a variety of causative factors. A large proportion of hypomagnesemia-related disorders may go undetected or misdiagnosed, as magnesium level monitoring is not part of a routine electrolyte panel. We report two cases of distinct cerebellar syndromes due to cerebellar edema in postoperative patients of major GI oncosurgeries due to severe hypomagnesemia. Symptoms in both cases were reversed with prompt intravenous (IV) magnesium therapy. Our report suggests the importance of regular serum magnesium assessment in postoperative cases of major GI surgeries, including abdominal cancer surgeries.
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