title: An unusual cause of confusion and hyponatraemia in an elderly patient.
abstract: A large proportion of patients presenting on the acute medical take are frail and elderly and a significant proportion of these will have symptoms such as confusion, reduced mobility and electrolyte disturbances. These symptoms are typically attributed either to the iatrogenic effects of prescribed medications, disturbances in fluid balance and possible infective causes. We describe the case of a gentleman who presented with delirium, reduced mobility and hyponatraemia who was subsequently found to have pituitary failure secondary to pituitary apoplexy.
authors.affiliation: FrenchayHospital Frenchay, Bristol, UK. ruth.greer@nbt.nhs.uk
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Greer
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rahman
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Parfitt
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003221:Confusion / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007010:Hyponatremia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D007018:Hypopituitarism / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D010899:Pituitary Apoplexy / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014883:Water-Electrolyte Imbalance / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D006854:Hydrocortisone