A continued loss of sodium and chloride is a well-known phenomenon which occurs during the course of uncontrolled adrenal insufficiency. Such losses are of serious consequence and in children lead to a failure of growth and development, to asthenia and infection. It is well recognized that many of the symptoms of adrenal insufficiency are due to the disturbance in mineral metabolism, and it is ...

Hyponatremia is the most common electrolyte imbalance in neurologic patients. The causes of hyponatremia are varied, but in neurologically ill patients, is most commonly attributed to Syndrome of Inappropriate Anti-diuresis and Cerebral Salt Wasting. Both these entities are cerebral in origin but have distinct pathophysiology, prognosis and treatment options. The importance of distinguishing bo...

3. Sterns RH, Silver SM. Cerebral salt wasting versus SIADH: what difference? J Am Soc Nephrol. 2008;19:194—6. 4. Palmer BF. Hyponatremia in patients with central nervous system disease: SIADH versus CSW. Trends Endocrinol Metab. 2003;14:182—7. 5. Cuadrado E, Cerdá M, Rodríguez A, Puig de Dou J. Síndrome pierde-sal cerebral en infecciones del sistema nervioso central. Med Clin Barc. 2007;128:27...

Hyponatremia commonly occurs in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Two mechanisms have been proposed as causes: syndrome of inappropriate anti-diuretic hormone and cerebral salt wasting. Physical examination and laboratory results can assist a clinician in identifying which mechanism is responsible and thus determine proper treatment. When hyponatremia is treated promptly and app...