7491 Post operative Euglycemic Diabetic Ketoacidosis in Type 2 Diabetic patient - A diagnostic challenge
Authors: Azmat Shazia , Lodhi Owais , Ashok Harish , Siddiqui Mahwash Fatima 
Published: October 2024

Disclosure: S. Azmat: None. O. Lodhi: None. H. Ashok: None. M.F. Siddiqui: None.

Euglycemic Diabetic Ketoacidosis (EDKA) is a rare but potentially fatal condition that is often difficult to diagnose as underlying ketoacidosis is masked by euglycemia. The diagnosis and management of this condition requires a swift and comprehensive approach to avoid delay. We report a case of 66-year-old female with Insulin-dependent Type 2 DM who developed postoperative euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis, highlighting the significance of maintaining a high degree of suspicion for EDKA in postoperative patients, whose surgical course may obscure the underlying diabetic ketoacidosis symptoms. Clinical Case: A 66-year-old female with past medical history of Insulin dependent Type 2 DM presented to the emergency department with severe epigastric pain. CT Abdomen revealed perforated gastric ulcer with pneumoperitoneum requiring urgent laparoscopic graham patch repair. Patient’s outpatient medications include Lantus and metformin. She had mild hyperglycemia on admission with blood glucose of 176 mg/dL (140-160mg/dL) without metabolic abnormality. Insulin administration was omitted due to pre and post operative normoglycemia. The patient was NPO followed by initiation of nasogastric tube feeds. Postoperative course was complicated by hypotension, generalized abdominal discomfort and anion gap metabolic acidosis. Graham patch failure, abdominal infection, and post-surgical complications were systematically ruled out. Patient continued to decline with worsening anion gap metabolic acidosis; pH of 7.18 (7.35-7.45), HCO3 &lt; 10 mEq/L (21 mEq/L - 31 mEq/L), anion gap15 mmol/L (8 to 12 mmol/L), blood sugar (147-208 mg/dl). There was no lactic acidosis or renal impairment. Beta hydroxybutyrate levels were elevated at &gt; 4.5 mmol/L. Thus diagnosis of euglycemic DKA was established and treated with insulin drip per DKA protocol and dextrose fluids. EDKA resolved within five days with clinical improvement. She was transitioned to subcutaneous basal bolus insulin. She remained euglycemic and and had good surgical outcomes.Discussion: Euglycemic DKA is rare with only 2.6% to 3.2% of DKA, presenting as euglycemic. It presents as unique diagnostic challenge due to atypical DKA presentation with blood glucose less than 250 mg/dL. The primary driver for EDKA is either a reduction in hepatic glucose production at times of fasting or the overabundance of counter-regulatory hormones resulting in excess glucosuria. Literature has reported the effects short-term fasting on developing EDKA and starvation induced ketosis secondary to extreme ketogenic diets or bariatric surgery primarily among Type 1 diabetics. Clinically patients may exhibit symptoms similar to classic DKA, however, this classic picture may be confounded in a critically ill post-surgical patient, thus delaying recognition. This emphasizes the importance of including EDKA in differentials while evaluating such patients.

Presentation: 6/1/2024