Pseudo-Bartter's syndrome due to furosemide abuse: report of a case and an analytical review of Japanese literature.

Batter's syndrome characteristically exhibits the constellation of hypokalemic alkalosis, normotensive hyperreninism, hyperalodosteronism, hyporesponsiveness to pressor agent and juxtaglomerular cell hyperplasia. Recently, metabolic mimicry of Batter's syndrome by vomiting, diarrhea, laxatives and diuretics abuse has been reported. We had a 30 year-old female patient who developed so-called pseudo-Bartter's syndrome as the result of surreptitious self-administration of furosemide for about six years. In this case, calcification of bilateral renal medulla was demonstrated. Such adverse reaction has not been reported to date. Moreover, a total 14 cases of pseudo-Bartter's syndrome reported in Japanese literature is reviewed.