Abstract
A 7-year-old boy with hepatic hydatid cysts developed fatal hypernatraemia after surgery for cyst removal where 20% hypertonic saline (HS) was used as a scolicidal agent. Symptoms of generalised seizures, tachycardia, and hypotension developed within 6 h of surgery. Serum electrolytes confirmed hypernatraemia (170 mmol/l) and hyperchloraemia (141 mmol/l). Despite attempts at resuscitation, he died 20 h later. The literature is reviewed, emphasising the potential dangers of the use of HS and the clinical presentation and appropriate management of hypernatraemia.
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Accepted: 15 February 2001
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Krige, J., Millar, A., Rode, H. et al. Fatal hypernatraemia after hypertonic Saline irrigation of hepatic hydatid cysts. Pediatr Surg Int 18, 64–65 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/s003830200015
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s003830200015