Coexisting cerebral salt wasting syndrome and central diabetes insipidus in a patient with posterior cerebrovascular infarction: A case report

Abstract

Background: Disorders of sodium balance are common in critically ill neurologic patients. However, the coexisting of cerebral salt wasting syndrome (CSW) and central diabetes insipidus (CDI) in such patients is rare. Early recognition of such conditions is challenging, thus making the prognosis ominous. Case Presentation: A 50-year-old male patient presented with acute posterior cerebrovascular infarction complicated by several attacks of disturbed sodium homeostasis. The first attack manifested as hypernatremia (up to 161 mmol/L) and polyuria with high urine sodium (188 mmol/L) could only be explained by CSW on top of CDI. Especially the patient was not receiving any hyperosmolar or sodium-containing fluids. Serum sodium was corrected by desmopressin acetate. Later, the patient developed 2 attacks of hyponatremia (down to 119 mmol/L) diagnosed as CSW that was treated with fludrocortisone. Finally, he developed hypernatremia (up to 165 mmol/L) diagnosed as CDI and was treated with desmopressin acetate. Conclusion: Sodium hemostasis disorders require full consideration of serum electrolytes, intravascular volume state, and urine electrolytes in view of the clinical condition. Early diagnosis and administration of the proper treatment are the cornerstones of successful management.