Neurogenic diabetes insipidus in hypoxemic encephalopathy
Johansen, J.A.; Carl, P.; Schønheyder, H.; Wolff, J.
Ugeskrift for Laeger 143(43): 2796-2799
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0041-5782 PMID: 7324228 Document Number: 168689
Neurogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI) in association with hypoxemic encephalopathy seems rare probably because of the ample blood supply to the hypothalamic nuclei and high resistance to hypoxia of the neurons, which produce the antidiuretic hormone. Six cases of this entity were reported previously and 3 new cases are presented. The development of NDI in comatose patients with hypoxemic encephalopathy is of prognostic importance since all patients (7) in this category died. The diagnosis of NDI in critically ill patients may have importance for the selection of donors for kidney transplantations. The cause of polyuria in the 3 patients repo-ted here was extrarenal and kidney transplantations were successfully performed after which the patients succumbed from their extensive brain damage.