Fatal hyponatremia in a young woman after ecstasy ingestion.

BACKGROUND

A 20-year old, otherwise healthy, female college student presented in an unresponsive state with respiratory distress after ingesting ecstasy (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine). She had initial plasma sodium concentration of 117 mmol/l.

INVESTIGATIONS: Physical examination, blood chemistry panel, urinary osmolality and electrolytes, arterial blood gas, chest X-ray, and CT scan of the brain.

DIAGNOSIS: Hyponatremia associated with noncardiogenic pulmonary edema and cerebral edema.

MANAGEMENT: Administration of a total of 6.8 l of isotonic saline and 0.245 l of 3% hypertonic saline with sporadic administration of intravenous furosemide. The patient died approximately 12 h after admission.