Neurogenic Pulmonary Edema Associated with Hyponatremia, Primary Polydipsia, and Cannabis Use: A Case Report.

INTRODUCTION

Neurogenic pulmonary edema is a rare and potentially life-threatening condition that can present as severe pulmonary edema after significant neurologic insults. This is the first documented instance that shows a plausible causal link between cannabis consumption, psychogenic polydipsia, and the subsequent development of neurogenic pulmonary edema associated with status epilepticus secondary to acute hyponatremia.

CASE REPORT: We report a case of a 34-year-old female who presented to the emergency department altered and postictal after a witnessed new-onset seizure. She developed significant respiratory distress that required intubation. Her sodium was 121 millimoles per liter (mmol/L), from 137 mmol/L 36 hours prior on routine outpatient labs. Further history revealed excessive water ingestion after eating a cannabis edible prior to the seizure.

CONCLUSION

This case highlights the importance of recognizing neurogenic pulmonary edema in connection with psychogenic polydipsia, severe hyponatremia, and status epilepticus subsequent to cannabis consumption.