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Toilet bowl palsy from prolonged prayer posture

Gregory J Wilson and George T John
Med J Aust 2015; 203 (8): . || doi: 10.5694/mja15.00578
Published online: 19 October 2015

An 18-year-old man was admitted to a Cambodian hospital with severe bilateral lower leg weakness and an acute kidney injury requiring renal replacement therapy. Three days before his hospitalisation, he had consumed tramadol hydrochloride and codeine phosphate, and injected heroin. While intoxicated in his hostel, he adopted a prayer posture (Box) and subsequently lost consciousness, remaining in this position for 8 hours on a tiled floor. Upon regaining consciousness, he was unable to stand due to a profound weakness in both legs that persisted for 3 days. During this time his urine changed to a cola colour although it was of normal volume. On the fourth day of ongoing symptoms, the patient sought medical care and was found to be in acute renal failure. He received two sessions of haemodialysis.


  • Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Brisbane, QLD


Correspondence: gjwilson01@gmail.com

Competing interests:

No relevant disclosures.

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  • 3. O’Ferrall EK, Busche K, Dickhoff P, et al. A patient with bilateral sciatic neuropathies. Can J Neurol Sci 2007; 34: 365-367.

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