Cerebral salt wasting syndrome in a patient who suffered a gunshot traumatic head injury: a case report

Cerebral salt wasting syndrome is described as a hyponatremic condition in the context of a central nervous system injury. It is caused by a renal loss of sodium, and the primary distinguishing factor among similar conditions, such as the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion, is a reduction in the extracellular fluid volume. We describe here the case of a young adult who suffered brain injuries as a result of a gunshot and developed cerebral salt wasting syndrome during his in-hospital stay. Any type of cerebral attack can lead to hyponatraemic syndrome, but the most common are subarachnoid hemorrhages and neurological and meningeal tuberculosis infections. Treatment of the cerebral salt wasting syndrome leads to both hypovolemia and hyponatremia correction. The first line of management included hydric reposition with saline solution, either isotonic or hypertonic, depending on the severity of the symptoms.