Electrolyte imbalance is an often incident in patients underwent neurosurgery and it potentially induces secondary brain injury, leading to a worse outcome, despite successful surgery. Diabetes insipidus is a frequent hypernatremic condition, commonly caused by abnormalities in the hypophysis; but rarely happens due to pineal tumor. A 21-year-old male with preoperative diabetes insipidus experienced episodes of diabetes insipidus complicated by cerebral salt wasting syndrome and tension pneumocephalus after a successful pineal tumor removal surgery. Closed observation on volume status, plasma glucose and electrolyte, along with optimal dose of desmopressin were keys of successful postoperative management in this patient in order to avoid the patient from secondary brain injury. An intensivist plays a key role, mainly in the understanding of intracranial pathophysiology and its implications to fluid and electrolyte balance.
Coexistence of Triphasic Diabetes Insipidus and Cerebral Salt Wasting Syndrome Following Extraction of Sellar/Suprasellar Grade I Pilocytic Astrocytoma
