Premium
Hyperglycaemia and cerebral oedema in a patient with a meningioma receiving dexamethasone
Author(s) -
Ramessur S.,
Dinsmore J.,
Zoumprouli A.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
anaesthesia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.839
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1365-2044
pISSN - 0003-2409
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2044.2010.06585.x
Subject(s) - medicine , dexamethasone , craniotomy , meningioma , anesthesia , cerebral edema , surgery , intensive care medicine
Summary Dexamethasone is prescribed routinely to reduce cerebral oedema in neurosurgical patients undergoing craniotomy for tumour and is used increasingly as an anti‐emetic. Dexamethasone, however, has been shown to cause hyperglycaemia. We describe a case of hyperglycaemic crisis, cerebral oedema and death secondary to dexamethasone in a patient with a frontal meningioma. We highlight the risks of peri‐operative dexamethasone and discuss the diagnosis, treatment and complications of hyperglycaemic crises and cerebral oedema.