Abstract

AbstractEssential hypernatremia points to a probable disturbance in osmoregulation, the result of disease in the hypothalcmic area. Recently a syndrome accompanying hyperosmolality has been characterized by lethargy, confusion, hypodipsia, lack of evidence of dehydration, labile hypotension, hypernatremia, azotemia, and a tendency to water intoxication after management by fluids and vasopressin. Spontaneous hypothermia is a still more rare clinical monifestation of hypothalamic disease. We present the only instance to our knowledge of an association of both clinical pictures with an intrasellor tumor. Their occurrence in a schizophrenic patient obviously posed problems in diagnosis.