Hyponatriemic encephalopathy which failed to present episodes of hypoxia or respiratory failure – a case report

Motivation: Although MRI studies describing cytotoxic edema in rat brains with hyponatremic encephalopathy exist, no MRI study describing cytotoxic edema in humans with hyponatremia encephalpathy exists. Case: A 50 y.o. woman, suffering from schizophrenia for over 20 years, was admitted to the neurology unresponsive to verbal stimulus, only responsive to repeated vigorous stimuli. She had been drinking excessive amounts of water over the last weeks due to a psychogenic polydipsia. Neurological examination revealed no focal disturbances, the brainstem reflexes were intact. Laboratory findings at admission reveale…