Hyponatraemic encephalopathy as the initial presentation of Guillain-Barre syndrome.
This report deals with an elderly lady with Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), who presented with features of unusually severe hyponatraemia. The hyponatraemia was probably due to the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH). The hyponatraemia resolved with water restriction and infusion of hypertonic saline; GBS was treated with human immunoglobulin (IVIG). This patient's experience stresses the importance of monitoring serum sodium levels as hyponatraemia has been identified to be a marker of poor prognosis in GBS.
Taiping Medical Centre, 45-49 Jalan Medan Taiping, Medan Taiping 2, 34000 Taiping, Perak. mraman@pc.jaring.my
M
M
Ramanathan
D001928:Brain Diseases, Metabolic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D020275:Guillain-Barre Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007010:Hyponatremia / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007177:Inappropriate ADH Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D012462:Saline Solution, Hypertonic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005719:gamma-Globulins / Q000627:therapeutic use
D007155:Immunologic Factors; D012462:Saline Solution, Hypertonic; D005719:gamma-Globulins