eMedicine Specialties > Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation > Traumatic Brain Injury

Post Head Injury Endocrine Complications: Multimedia

Author: Milton J Klein, DO, MBA, Consulting Physiatrist, Sewickley Valley Hospital, Allegheny General Hospital, Harmarville Rehabilitation Center, Ohio Valley General Hospital, and Aliquippa Community Hospital
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Jan 5, 2009

Multimedia

Effects of hyponatremia on the brain and adaptive...
(Enlarge Image)
Media file 1: Effects of hyponatremia on the brain and adaptive responses. Within minutes after the development of hypotonicity, water gain causes swelling of the brain and a decrease in osmolality of the brain. Partial restoration of brain volume occurs within a few hours as a result of cellular loss of electrolytes (rapid adaptation). The normalization of brain volume is completed within several days through loss of organic osmolytes from brain cells (slow adaptation). Low osmolality in the brain persists despite the normalization of brain volume. Proper correction of hypotonicity reestablishes normal osmolality without risking damage to the brain. Overly aggressive correction of hyponatremia can lead to irreversible brain damage.
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Effects of hyponatremia on the brain and adaptive...

Effects of hyponatremia on the brain and adaptive responses. Within minutes after the development of hypotonicity, water gain causes swelling of the brain and a decrease in osmolality of the brain. Partial restoration of brain volume occurs within a few hours as a result of cellular loss of electrolytes (rapid adaptation). The normalization of brain volume is completed within several days through loss of organic osmolytes from brain cells (slow adaptation). Low osmolality in the brain persists despite the normalization of brain volume. Proper correction of hypotonicity reestablishes normal osmolality without risking damage to the brain. Overly aggressive correction of hyponatremia can lead to irreversible brain damage.

More on Post Head Injury Endocrine Complications

Overview: Post Head Injury Endocrine Complications
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Post Head Injury Endocrine Complications
Treatment & Medication: Post Head Injury Endocrine Complications
Follow-up: Post Head Injury Endocrine Complications
Multimedia: Post Head Injury Endocrine Complications
References
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References

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Further Reading

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Keywords

hormone, hormones, adrenal, endocrine, TBI, head injury, adrenal gland, traumatic brain injury, pituitary gland, endocrine system, hypothalamus, adrenal insufficiency, adrenal glands, pituitary glands, hypopituitarism, panhypopituitarism, posttraumatic brain injury endocrine complications, post-traumatic brain injury endocrine complications, endocrine complications following TBI

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Milton J Klein, DO, MBA, Consulting Physiatrist, Sewickley Valley Hospital, Allegheny General Hospital, Harmarville Rehabilitation Center, Ohio Valley General Hospital, and Aliquippa Community Hospital
Milton J Klein, DO, MBA is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Disability Evaluating Physicians, American Academy of Medical Acupuncture, American Academy of Osteopathy, American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, American Medical Association, American Osteopathic Association, American Osteopathic College of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, American Pain Society, and Pennsylvania Medical Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Patrick J Potter, BSc, MD, FRCP(C), Associate Professor, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, The University of Western Ontario; Consulting Staff, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, St Joseph's Health Care Centre
Patrick J Potter, BSc, MD, FRCP(C) is a member of the following medical societies: American Paraplegia Society, Canadian Association of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Canadian Medical Association, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, Ontario Medical Association, and Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

Kat Kolaski, MD, Assistant Professor, Departments of Orthopedic Surgery and Pediatrics, Wake Forest University School of Medicine
Kat Kolaski, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine and American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Kelly L Allen, MD, Regional Medical Director, IMX-Medical Management Services
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Consuelo T Lorenzo, MD, Consulting Staff, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Alegent Health Care, Immanuel Rehabilitation Center
Consuelo T Lorenzo, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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