RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Acute water intoxication in an adult man: ‘dental hyponatraemia’ revisited
JF Clinical Medicine
JO Clin Med
FD Royal College of Physicians
SP 364
OP 365
DO 10.7861/clinmed.2022-0141
VO 22
IS 4
A1 Gregor Mayer
A1 Petra Müller
A1 Barbara Pischinger
A1 Eva Seiringer
A1 Martin Windpessl
YR 2022
UL http://www.rcpjournals.org/content/22/4/364.abstract
AB The differential diagnosis of hyponatraemia is notoriously wide. However, only a minority is acute, ie develops in less than 48 hours. We describe an unusual cause of water intoxication due to toothache. A 30-year-old man with no medical history of note presented in an acute confusional state. Laboratory results disclosed profound hyponatraemia. Urinary indices were consistent with overdrinking, but in the absence of a reliable history, other aetiologies had to be excluded. This case highlights the benefit of a structured approach in the assessment of electrolyte disturbances.