Dialysis disequilibrium syndrome.
The dialysis disequilibrium syndrome is a rare but serious complication of hemodialysis. Despite the fact that maintenance hemodialysis has been a routine procedure for over 50 years, this syndrome remains poorly understood. The signs and symptoms vary widely from restlessness and headache to coma and death. While cerebral edema and increased intracranial pressure are the primary contributing factors to this syndrome and are the target of therapy, the precise mechanisms for their development remain elusive. Treatment of this syndrome once it has developed is rarely successful. Thus, measures to avoid its development are crucial. In this review, we will examine the pathophysiology of this syndrome and discuss the factors to consider in avoiding its development.
Department of Pediatrics, Division of Nephrology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
Diana
D
Zepeda-Orozco
Raymond
R
Quigley
D001928:Brain Diseases, Metabolic / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects*