Cerebral edema during treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis in an adult with new onset diabetes.
BACKGROUND
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) continues to be a medical emergency, in part because of a rare and devastating complication associated with its treatment, cerebral edema. In children, cerebral edema is the principal cause of mortality, but clinically significant cerebral edema in adults is rare.


RESULTS
We report the case of a 27-year-old male (not previously known to be diabetic) who presented with a first episode of DKA complicated by the development of fatal cerebral edema despite medical treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
The pathophysiological mechanisms for cerebral edema associated with DKA occurring in children and adults are believed to be similar and are discussed in this report. However, patients who develop cerebral edema may deteriorate rapidly, and experience with successful treatment has been limited.
Troy
Patrick J
PJ
Department of Internal Medicine, Hartford Hospital, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Hartford, CT, USA.
Clark
Roger P
RP
Kakarala
Sri G
SG
Burns
Jocelyn
J
Silverman
Isaac E
IE
Shore
Eric
E
D000328:Adult; D001929:Brain Edema / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D016883:Diabetic Ketoacidosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography