Seeing the sodium in a patient with hypernatremia
A 34-year-old patient with diabetes insipidus after removal of a hypothalamic tumor,
developed difficulties with his treatment and presented with hypernatremia. On admission
his blood pressure was normal, he was confused, had polyuria and secondary
hyperaldosteronism, and his serum [Na+] was 162 mmol/l. We lowered the serum [Na+] with
free water and desmopressin so that after 13 days his serum [Na+] was 141mmol/l and his
symptoms were improved. We reviewed the patient's charts and discovered that his body …
developed difficulties with his treatment and presented with hypernatremia. On admission
his blood pressure was normal, he was confused, had polyuria and secondary
hyperaldosteronism, and his serum [Na+] was 162 mmol/l. We lowered the serum [Na+] with
free water and desmopressin so that after 13 days his serum [Na+] was 141mmol/l and his
symptoms were improved. We reviewed the patient's charts and discovered that his body …