[Hyponatraemia as the cause of severe cerebral symptoms].
Hyponatraemia with severe symptoms is a medical emergency that warrants swift action. Treatment can be delayed and/or insufficient if a systematic approach fails. We present two cases of severe symptomatic hyponatraemia: 1) Seizures treated with antiepileptics and isotonic saline, which fails to increase the plasma [Na+]/reveal the symptoms and 2) coma treated successfully with infusions of hypertonic saline boluses. Effective treatment is simple and involves management of airway, breathing and circulation together with bolus infusions of hypertonic saline to ensure controllable plasma [Na+] increase.
Medicinsk Afdeling F, Gentofte Hospital, Niels Andersens Vej 65, 2900 Hellerup. dpsonne@gmail.com
David P
DP
Sonne
Christian
C
Overgaard-Steensen
D000208:Acute Disease; D000368:Aged; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D019091:Critical Pathways; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007010:Hyponatremia / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D011594:Psychometrics; D012462:Saline Solution, Hypertonic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use
D012462:Saline Solution, Hypertonic; D012965:Sodium Chloride