12227 The Battle Between Central And Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus
Authors: Luzuriaga Chavez A A , Hidalgo J P , Rao A , Patel N 
Published: October 2024

Disclosure: A.A. Luzuriaga Chavez: None. J.P. Hidalgo: None. A. Rao: None. N. Patel: None.

Diabetes insipidus (DI) is a rare disorder characterized by excessive polyuria and polydipsia. The two main types include central diabetes insipidus (CDI), which results from antidiuretic hormone (ADH) deficiency and nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI), defined by ADH resistance in the renal tubules. It can be challenging to distinguish between different types of DI in a critically ill patient. A 68-year-old female with a past medical history of hypertension, bipolar disorder came to the ER for complaints of chills and shortness of breath. She was transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU) for septic shock secondary to pneumonia and left pleural effusion. A chest tube was placed with improvement in her breathing and she was transferred out of the ICU. Four days later, the patient developed altered mental status, fevers and ICU was reconsulted due to concern for meningitis. A lumbar puncture was done with negative results but the brain MRI revealed ischemic sites involving both medial parietal cortices extending into both occipital poles, consistent with acute ischemia. Furthermore, the patient developed an increased urine output of 200ml per hour with a negative balance of 2.7L, increased sodium of 150, serum osmolality of 313 and urine osmolality of 196. The patient received desmopressin 1 mcg q 6 hrs with the persistence of hypernatremia. Upon further questioning, the patient had been on lithium therapy in the past for bipolar disorder. Amiloride 2.5mg BID was added to the treatment regimen. The patient’s hypernatremia and urine output improved and she was discharged on both amiloride and desmopressin to follow up for dose adjustments as needed. DI has a prevalence of 1 in 25000. Acquired CDI secondary to lesions in the hypophysis or hypothalamus highlights the major role of the central nervous system in regulating water homeostasis. This case report describes CDI developing after a stroke. Ischemia can cause hypoperfusion of osmoreceptors in the hypothalamus and posterior pituitary. Lithium can be frequently associated with NDI, usually seen in 20 to 40% of patients. Different mechanisms of action include lithium interference in renal collecting tubules by increasing cAMP in response to ADH and down-regulation of aquaporin-2 expression, which is accepted to be reversible with the cessation of the therapy. However, long-term treatment with lithium likely results in permanent NDI. Our patient had a history of lithium therapy which contributed to the development of symptoms of NDI and responded to a combination of desmopressin and amiloride. The successful therapy enforces the diagnosis of both a central and a peripheral pathology. Central and nephrogenic DI, despite stemming from distinct underlying causes, may concurrently manifest in critically ill patients. This case report emphasizes the need for physicians to evaluate for multiple causes of DI in a patient with water disturbances.

Presentation: 6/1/2024