Author(s)

D. López de Lara, B. Joyanes, A. Llaneza, O. Pérez, B. Llorente, I. Runkle

Department of Endocrinology, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, Spain.
Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, Spain.

The coexistence of different water homeostasis abnormalities following neurosurgery represents a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for intensive care units. This paper reports the case of a 13 year-old boy who underwent surgery for a suprasellar tumour and, immediately after surgery, developed a cerebral abscess, persistent diabetes insipidus (DI) as well as cerebral salt wasting syndrome (CSWS). The early onset of CSWS following DI has been associated with a poor prognosis and increased mortality. In cases in which these abnormalities coexist, the increased polyuria secondary to the rise in natriuresis associated with CSWS might be erroneously interpreted as a sign of poor control of the DI, thereby leading to therapeutic mistakes. Treatment basically consists of restoring electrolytes and the joint administration of desmopressin and fludrocortisone.

Electrolyte Disorder; Diabetes Insipidus; Cerebral Salt Wasting Syndrome; Neurosurgery

Lara, D. , Joyanes, B. , Llaneza, A. , Pérez, O. , Llorente, B. and Runkle, I. (2013) Prolonged coexistent central diabetes insipidus and cerebral salt wasting syndrome following neurosurgery. Open Journal of Pediatrics, 3, 74-77. doi: 10.4236/ojped.2013.32014.