Hyponatremia due to Secondary Adrenal Insufficiency Successfully Treated by Dexamethasone with Sodium Chloride

Abstract

Patient: Female, 60Final Diagnosis: Hyponatremia due to secondary adrenal insufficiencySymptoms: prolonged general fatigue and anorexiaMedication: —Clinical Procedure: Successfully treated by dexamethasone with sodium chlorideSpecialty: NephrologyObjective:Rare co-existance of disease or pathologyBackground:Patients who were surgically treated for Cushing’s syndrome postoperatively surrender to “primary” adrenal insufficiency. However, the preoperative over-secretion of cortisol or the postoperative administration of excessive glucocorticoids can cause “secondary” adrenal insufficiency, in which the prevalence of hyponatremia is usually lower than that of primary adrenal insufficiency.Case Report:A 60-year-old woman with a past medical history of Cushing’s syndrome developed hyponatremia with symptoms of acute glucocorticoid deficiency, such as prolonged general fatigue and anorexia, after upper respiratory tract infection. A decrease in the serum cortisol level and the lack of increase in the ACTH level, despite the increased demand for cortisol, enabled a diagnosis of “secondary” adrenal insufficiency. Although the initial fluid replacement therapy was not effective, co-administration of dexamethasone and sodium chloride quickly resolved her symptoms and ameliorated the refractory hyponatremia.Conclusions:In this case, the hypothalamic-pituitary axis of the patient was thought to have become suppressed long after the surgical treatment for Cushing’s syndrome. This case suggested a mechanism of refractory hyponatremia caused by secondary adrenal insufficiency, for which the administration of dexamethasone and sodium chloride exerted additional therapeutic efficacy.

Acute Severe Hypovolemic Hyponatremia in a Patient on Intravenous Dexamethasone

“…There are several reports iterating the therapeutic role of dexamethasone in hyponatremic conditions [20]; however, to the best of our knowledge, there is no report describing acute severe hyponatremia following dexamethasone therapy. Our case underscores the possible contribution of dexamethasone to the pathophysiology of acute hyponatremia in conditions predisposing to acute fluid and electrolyte loss.…”