Pseudohyponatraemia in a patient with obstructive jaundice.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

Pseudohyponatraemia is uncommonly associated with severe hypercholesterolaemia. Severe hypercholesterolaemia encountered in obstructive jaundice due to an abnormal lipoprotein, lipoprotein X (LpX), may result in pseudohyponatraemia.

CASE REPORT:

We report a case of falsely low sodium measurements in a patient with severe hypercholesterolaemia due to obstructive liver disease. The pathophysiology, complications and analytical effects of LpX are briefly discussed.

CONCLUSION:

The possibility of pseudohyponatraemia should be considered in severely hypercholesterolaemic samples.

• Authors: Mia le Riche, Lesley J Burgess, A David Marais
• Journal: Clinica chimica acta; international journal of clinical chemistry (Clin Chim Acta) Vol. 366 Issue 1-2 Pg. 357-60 (Apr 2006) ISSN: 0009-8981 [Print] Netherlands
• PMID: 16289427 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Lipoprotein-X

Topics

• Adult
• Diagnosis, Differential
• Electrophoresis, Agar Gel
• Female
• Humans
• Hypercholesterolemia (diagnosis, etiology)
• Hyponatremia (diagnosis, etiology)
• Jaundice, Obstructive (complications, metabolism)
• Lipoprotein-X (analysis)