Abstract
Electrolyte disturbances, especially hypernatremia, which are not uncommon in cerebral injuries or diseases, are usually attributed to water depletion and sodium retention. The authors observed hypernatremia in 9 of 37 neurosurgical patients. In 2 of them, water depletion and sodium retention were denied by the balance study and estimation of the sodium space and total exchangeable sodium, and hypernatremia was considered to be due to damage to the central nervous system itself. Experimental injury of the brain also caused hypernatremia in 3 of 44 dogs. Analysis of tissue electrolytes suggested the shift of electrolytes between intra- and extracellular compartments. Decrease of muscle sodium was comfirmed in these patients, while bone sodium did not change. Release of muscle sodium was regarded as contributing to hypernatremia.
