DI, SIADH and Cerebral Salt 
Wasting 
Mohamad Soud
Similarities – What’s in 
common? 
Central neurogenic diabetes insipidus (CNDI), syndrome 
of inappropriate secretion of 
antidiuretic hormone (SIADH), and cerebral salt-wasting 
syndrome (CSWS) ALL affect both sodium and water 
balance; however, they have differences in 
pathophysiology, diagnosis, 
and treatment.
Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) 
 A polypeptide 
synthesized in the 
supraoptic and 
paraventricular nuclei in 
the hypothalamus. 
 Secretory granules 
containing ADH migrate 
down into the posterior 
lobe of the pituitary, 
where they are stored 
and released after 
appropriate stimuli.
Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) 
 Most important 
variable is osmotic 
pressure of plasma 
and ECF. 
 = (2 x serum [Na]) + [glucose, 
in mg/dL]/18 + [blood urea 
nitrogen, in mg/dL]/2.8 
 Largely a function of the 
concentration of Na
Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
Diabetes Insipidus 
A hormone disorder that 
occurs when the body 
doesn’t produce enough 
antidiuretic hormone (ADH) 
or doesn't use the hormone 
effectively >> excretion of 
excessive quantities of very 
dilute, but otherwise normal 
urine.
Diabetes Insipidus – Types 
Two types: 
1. Central DI, a primary deficiency of ADH 
2. Nephrogenic DI, caused by an inappropriate renal 
response to ADH
Central DI 
 The cause of central diabetes insipidus in adults is 
usually damage to the pituitary gland or 
hypothalamus 
 Idiopathic - 30% 
 Malignant or benign tumors of the brain or pituitary - 25% 
 Cranial surgery - 20% 
 Head trauma - 16%
Post Surgical Central DI 
 Postsurgical diabetes insipidus results 
from inflammatory edema around 
the hypothalamus or posterior 
pituitary and resolves with resolution 
of the edema. It may also be 
secondary to damage to the 
supraoptic and paraventricular 
neurons of the hypothalamus, the 
pituitary stalk, or Pituitary 
Vasculature 
 The neurohypophysis is supplied 
by the inferior hypophyseal 
arteries terminal branches of 
the meningohypophyseal trunk, 
which arises from the 
cavernous portion of the 
internal carotid artery
Diabetes Insipidus - 
Symptoms 
Characterized by: 
 Excessive thirst that may be intense or uncontrollable, 
usually with the need to drink large amounts of water 
 Excessive urine volume That is hypotonic, dilute and 
tasteless (insipid) 
 Versus the sweet urine of diabetes mellitus(honey). 
 Excessive urination, often needing to urinate every hour 
throughout the day and night.
Central DI - Diagnosis
Central DI – Treatments 
 Desmopressin is the drug of choice. 
 IV hypotonic solutions (0.45% saline) to replace urine 
output.
Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic 
Hormone Secretion (SIADH) 
 Hyponatremia and hypo-osmolality resulting from 
inappropriate, continued secretion or action of ADH 
despite normal or increased plasma volume, which 
results in impaired water excretion.
SIADH – Causes 
 Any CNS disorder, including stroke, 
hemorrhage (very common in SAH 
population), infection, trauma, and 
psychosis can enhance ADH release. 
 Ectopic production of ADH by a tumor is 
most often due to a small cell carcinoma of 
the lung and is rarely seen with other lung 
tumors. Less common causes of 
malignancy-associated SIADH include head 
and neck cancer, olfactory neuroblastoma 
(esthesioneuroblastoma), and 
extrapulmonary small cell carcinomas. 
 Certain drugs can enhance ADH release or 
effect, including chlorpropamide, 
carbazapine, oxcarbazepine (a derivative of 
carbamazepine), high-dose intravenous 
cyclophosphamide, and selective serotonin 
reuptake inhibitors. 
 Pulmonary diseases, particularly 
pneumonia (viral, bacterial, tuberculous), 
can lead to the SIADH, although the 
mechanism by which this occurs is not 
clear. A similar response may infrequently 
be seen with asthma, atelectasis, acute 
respiratory failure, and pneumothorax.
SIADH – Pathophysiology 
 ADH-induced water retention 
 Dilutional hyponatremia 
 Volume expansion >> secondary natriuresis (ANP) 
 Sodium and water loss 
 Result: Euvolemic hyponatremia 
 Reduced serum osmolality 
 Increased urine osmolality 
 Increased urine sodium
SIADH – Symptoms 
 Nausea or vomiting 
 Cramps or tremors 
 Depressed mood or memory impairment 
 Irritability 
 Personality changes, such as combativeness, confusion, 
and hallucinations 
 Seizures 
 Stupor or coma
SIADH – Diagnosis 
 Euvolemic hyponatremia <134 mEq/L, 
 Serum Osm <275 mOsm/kg 
 Urine osmolality >300 mOsm/kg 
 Urine sodium concentration >40 mEq/L with normal 
dietary salt intake
SIADH – Treatment 
 Treat the underlying cause, if known 
 Water restriction to about 500-1500 mL/d 
 Correct Na+ deficit: no more than 10mEq/L in 24 hours, 18mEq/L in 48 hours 
 0.9% NaCl 
 3% NaCl 
 NaCl enteral tablets – 2-3g TID 
 Vasopressin receptor antagonists: inhibition of the AVP V2 receptor reduces the 
number of aquaporin-2 water channels in the renal collecting duct and decreases the 
water permeability of the collecting duct; There are 2 aquaretics that are currently 
FDA approved: 
• Conivaptan (Vaprisol) 
• Tolvaptan 
 loop diuretic: usually used in conjunction with normal saline to replenish the 
Na+ excreted with the diuresis 
 Demeclocycline.
Cerebral Salt Wasting Syndrome 
(CSWS) 
 Cerebral salt-wasting syndrome (CSWS) is a rare 
endocrine condition featuring a low blood sodium 
concentration and dehydration in response to 
trauma/injury or the presence of tumors in or 
surrounding the brain.
CSWS – Causes 
Condition leading to CSW include the following: 
 Head injury 
 Brain tumor 
 Intracranial surgery 
 Stroke 
 Intracerebral hemorrhage 
 Tuberculous meningitis
CSWS – Pathophysiology 
 Sympathetic Nervous System 
Hypothesis: loss of adrenergic tone 
to nephron >> decrease in renin 
secretion by juxtaglomerular cells, 
thereby causing decreased levels of 
aldosterone and decreased sodium 
reabsorption at PCT. 
 Natriuretic Peptide Theory: a 
release of natriuretic factors, 
possibly including brain natriuretic 
peptide (C-type natriuretic peptide) 
by the injured brain , which 
decreases sodium reabsorption and 
inhibits renin.
CSWS – Symptoms 
 As the decline in serum sodium concentration reduces 
serum osmolality, a tonicity gradient develops across 
the blood-brain barrier that causes cerebral edema. 
 Symptoms include lethargy, agitation, headache, altered consciousness, 
seizures, and coma. 
 Intravascular volume depletion 
 thirst, abrupt weight loss, decreasing urinary frequency, and negative fluid 
balance.
CSWS – Diagnosis 
 Hyponatremia < 135 meq/L with a low plasma 
osmolality 
 An inappropriately elevated urine osmolality > 
100 mosmol/kg and > 300 mosmol/kg) 
 A urine sodium concentration > 40 meq/L 
 A low serum uric acid concentration due to urate 
wasting in the urine
CSWS – Treatment 
 IV hypertonic saline solutions are employed to correct 
intravascular volume depletion and hyponatremia and to 
replace ongoing urinary sodium loss. 
 Mineralocorticoids enhance sodium reabsorption in the 
kidney by direct action on distal tubule cells 
 Fludrocortisone
Summary 
Central DI is associated 
with HYPERnatremia, whereas 
SIADH and CSWS are associated 
with HYPOnatremia.
Summary – SIADH vs. CSWS
Summary – SIADH vs. CSWS 
vs. DI 
SIADH CSWS DI 
Serum Na+ 
Urine Na+ 
Serum Osm 
Urine Osm
Summary – SIADH vs. CSWS 
vs. DI 
SIADH CSWS DI 
Urine O/P oliguria polyuria polyuria 
CVP normal/high low normal/low 
Plasma ADH high normal low 
Rx Fluid restrict, give 
Na+, Conivaptan, 
Demeclocycline 
Give volume, give 
Na+, 
Fludrocortisone 
Drink to thirst, 
45% saline, 
DDAVP 
(central), HCTZ 
(nephrogenic)

Di, siadh and cerebral salt wasting syndrome

  • 1.
    DI, SIADH andCerebral Salt Wasting Mohamad Soud
  • 2.
    Similarities – What’sin common? Central neurogenic diabetes insipidus (CNDI), syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH), and cerebral salt-wasting syndrome (CSWS) ALL affect both sodium and water balance; however, they have differences in pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment.
  • 3.
    Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)  A polypeptide synthesized in the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei in the hypothalamus.  Secretory granules containing ADH migrate down into the posterior lobe of the pituitary, where they are stored and released after appropriate stimuli.
  • 4.
    Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)  Most important variable is osmotic pressure of plasma and ECF.  = (2 x serum [Na]) + [glucose, in mg/dL]/18 + [blood urea nitrogen, in mg/dL]/2.8  Largely a function of the concentration of Na
  • 5.
  • 6.
    Diabetes Insipidus Ahormone disorder that occurs when the body doesn’t produce enough antidiuretic hormone (ADH) or doesn't use the hormone effectively >> excretion of excessive quantities of very dilute, but otherwise normal urine.
  • 7.
    Diabetes Insipidus –Types Two types: 1. Central DI, a primary deficiency of ADH 2. Nephrogenic DI, caused by an inappropriate renal response to ADH
  • 8.
    Central DI The cause of central diabetes insipidus in adults is usually damage to the pituitary gland or hypothalamus  Idiopathic - 30%  Malignant or benign tumors of the brain or pituitary - 25%  Cranial surgery - 20%  Head trauma - 16%
  • 9.
    Post Surgical CentralDI  Postsurgical diabetes insipidus results from inflammatory edema around the hypothalamus or posterior pituitary and resolves with resolution of the edema. It may also be secondary to damage to the supraoptic and paraventricular neurons of the hypothalamus, the pituitary stalk, or Pituitary Vasculature  The neurohypophysis is supplied by the inferior hypophyseal arteries terminal branches of the meningohypophyseal trunk, which arises from the cavernous portion of the internal carotid artery
  • 10.
    Diabetes Insipidus - Symptoms Characterized by:  Excessive thirst that may be intense or uncontrollable, usually with the need to drink large amounts of water  Excessive urine volume That is hypotonic, dilute and tasteless (insipid)  Versus the sweet urine of diabetes mellitus(honey).  Excessive urination, often needing to urinate every hour throughout the day and night.
  • 11.
    Central DI -Diagnosis
  • 12.
    Central DI –Treatments  Desmopressin is the drug of choice.  IV hypotonic solutions (0.45% saline) to replace urine output.
  • 13.
    Syndrome of InappropriateAntidiuretic Hormone Secretion (SIADH)  Hyponatremia and hypo-osmolality resulting from inappropriate, continued secretion or action of ADH despite normal or increased plasma volume, which results in impaired water excretion.
  • 14.
    SIADH – Causes  Any CNS disorder, including stroke, hemorrhage (very common in SAH population), infection, trauma, and psychosis can enhance ADH release.  Ectopic production of ADH by a tumor is most often due to a small cell carcinoma of the lung and is rarely seen with other lung tumors. Less common causes of malignancy-associated SIADH include head and neck cancer, olfactory neuroblastoma (esthesioneuroblastoma), and extrapulmonary small cell carcinomas.  Certain drugs can enhance ADH release or effect, including chlorpropamide, carbazapine, oxcarbazepine (a derivative of carbamazepine), high-dose intravenous cyclophosphamide, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.  Pulmonary diseases, particularly pneumonia (viral, bacterial, tuberculous), can lead to the SIADH, although the mechanism by which this occurs is not clear. A similar response may infrequently be seen with asthma, atelectasis, acute respiratory failure, and pneumothorax.
  • 15.
    SIADH – Pathophysiology  ADH-induced water retention  Dilutional hyponatremia  Volume expansion >> secondary natriuresis (ANP)  Sodium and water loss  Result: Euvolemic hyponatremia  Reduced serum osmolality  Increased urine osmolality  Increased urine sodium
  • 16.
    SIADH – Symptoms  Nausea or vomiting  Cramps or tremors  Depressed mood or memory impairment  Irritability  Personality changes, such as combativeness, confusion, and hallucinations  Seizures  Stupor or coma
  • 17.
    SIADH – Diagnosis  Euvolemic hyponatremia <134 mEq/L,  Serum Osm <275 mOsm/kg  Urine osmolality >300 mOsm/kg  Urine sodium concentration >40 mEq/L with normal dietary salt intake
  • 18.
    SIADH – Treatment  Treat the underlying cause, if known  Water restriction to about 500-1500 mL/d  Correct Na+ deficit: no more than 10mEq/L in 24 hours, 18mEq/L in 48 hours  0.9% NaCl  3% NaCl  NaCl enteral tablets – 2-3g TID  Vasopressin receptor antagonists: inhibition of the AVP V2 receptor reduces the number of aquaporin-2 water channels in the renal collecting duct and decreases the water permeability of the collecting duct; There are 2 aquaretics that are currently FDA approved: • Conivaptan (Vaprisol) • Tolvaptan  loop diuretic: usually used in conjunction with normal saline to replenish the Na+ excreted with the diuresis  Demeclocycline.
  • 19.
    Cerebral Salt WastingSyndrome (CSWS)  Cerebral salt-wasting syndrome (CSWS) is a rare endocrine condition featuring a low blood sodium concentration and dehydration in response to trauma/injury or the presence of tumors in or surrounding the brain.
  • 20.
    CSWS – Causes Condition leading to CSW include the following:  Head injury  Brain tumor  Intracranial surgery  Stroke  Intracerebral hemorrhage  Tuberculous meningitis
  • 21.
    CSWS – Pathophysiology  Sympathetic Nervous System Hypothesis: loss of adrenergic tone to nephron >> decrease in renin secretion by juxtaglomerular cells, thereby causing decreased levels of aldosterone and decreased sodium reabsorption at PCT.  Natriuretic Peptide Theory: a release of natriuretic factors, possibly including brain natriuretic peptide (C-type natriuretic peptide) by the injured brain , which decreases sodium reabsorption and inhibits renin.
  • 22.
    CSWS – Symptoms  As the decline in serum sodium concentration reduces serum osmolality, a tonicity gradient develops across the blood-brain barrier that causes cerebral edema.  Symptoms include lethargy, agitation, headache, altered consciousness, seizures, and coma.  Intravascular volume depletion  thirst, abrupt weight loss, decreasing urinary frequency, and negative fluid balance.
  • 23.
    CSWS – Diagnosis  Hyponatremia < 135 meq/L with a low plasma osmolality  An inappropriately elevated urine osmolality > 100 mosmol/kg and > 300 mosmol/kg)  A urine sodium concentration > 40 meq/L  A low serum uric acid concentration due to urate wasting in the urine
  • 24.
    CSWS – Treatment  IV hypertonic saline solutions are employed to correct intravascular volume depletion and hyponatremia and to replace ongoing urinary sodium loss.  Mineralocorticoids enhance sodium reabsorption in the kidney by direct action on distal tubule cells  Fludrocortisone
  • 25.
    Summary Central DIis associated with HYPERnatremia, whereas SIADH and CSWS are associated with HYPOnatremia.
  • 26.
  • 27.
    Summary – SIADHvs. CSWS vs. DI SIADH CSWS DI Serum Na+ Urine Na+ Serum Osm Urine Osm
  • 28.
    Summary – SIADHvs. CSWS vs. DI SIADH CSWS DI Urine O/P oliguria polyuria polyuria CVP normal/high low normal/low Plasma ADH high normal low Rx Fluid restrict, give Na+, Conivaptan, Demeclocycline Give volume, give Na+, Fludrocortisone Drink to thirst, 45% saline, DDAVP (central), HCTZ (nephrogenic)