Syndrome of Inappropriate Secretion of Antidiuretic Hormone

CENTRAL nervous system diseases of many types have been associated with the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH), 1,2 including infections, trauma, hemorrhage, and porphyria. We have recently observed a patient in whom SIADH developed following cavernous sinus thrombosis. There was no other apparent cause of excessive antidiuretic hormone (ADH) release or production. Report of a Case A 74-year-old Jamaican-born woman was admitted to another service of the hospital after two days of swelling, tenderness, and loss of vision in her right eye. She denied any trauma to the eye or head. Her previous history was unremarkable except for essential hypertension of about 20 years' duration, treated only with methyldopa. She was not diabetic and denied smoking or drinking alcohol. At admission, physical examination results showed a temperature of 38 °C and a blood pressure of 220/110 mm Hg. There were no signs of head trauma. The right