Is salt, vitamin, or endocrinopathy causing this encephalopathy? A review of endocrine and metabolic causes of altered level of consciousness.

Jennifer J Casaletto

Journal: Emergency medicine clinics of North America 2010;28(3):633-62

PMID: 20709247

Full Text on Elsevier Science View on PubMed

Abstract

Altered level of consciousness describes the reason for 3% of critical emergency department (ED) visits. Approximately 85% will be found to have a metabolic or systemic cause. Early laboratory studies such as a bedside glucose test, serum electrolytes, or a urine dipstick test often direct the ED provider toward endocrine or metabolic causes. This article examines common endocrine and metabolic causes of altered mentation in the ED via sections dedicated to endocrine-, electrolyte-, metabolic acidosis-, and metabolism-related causes.

Address: Department of Emergency Medicine, Virginia Tech-Carilion School of Medicine, CRMH-Admin 1S, 1906 Belleview Avenue, Roanoke, VA 24014, USA. [email protected]

DOI: 10.1016/j.emc.2010.03.013

Link outs

Subscription / membership required

Full Text Sources:

MeSH Terms: Acidosis, Aged, Child, Consciousness Disorders, Cushing Syndrome, Diabetic Ketoacidosis, Ethylene Glycol, Female, Glucose Metabolism Disorders, Humans, Hyperammonemia, Inappropriate ADH Syndrome, Metabolic Diseases, Methanol, Pregnancy, Salicylates, Thyroid Diseases, Water-Electrolyte Imbalance