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Case Reports
. 2015 Jan 23:2015:bcr2014207397.
doi: 10.1136/bcr-2014-207397.

Hyponatraemic encephalopathy: an unusual stroke mimic

Affiliations
Case Reports

Hyponatraemic encephalopathy: an unusual stroke mimic

William Wareing et al. BMJ Case Rep. .

Abstract

We present a case of a 74-year-old man who was admitted to our stroke unit with symptoms and signs suggestive of a left total anterior circulation stroke. Subsequent MRI failed to support this diagnosis and, furthermore, correction of an incidental finding of hyponatraemia due to syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion led to a complete recovery of symptoms. Investigation and subsequent exclusion of other potential differential diagnoses confirmed the diagnosis of hyponatraemia mimicking acute stroke.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Normal axial MRI diffusion-weighted imaging.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Axial MRI T2 sequence demonstrating mild periventricular ischaemic changes.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Serial serum sodium values during the admission.

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