Propofol and diabetes insipidus

• An acute case of diabetes insipidus presented after the intraoperative administration of propofol.
• The patient had two procedures two days apart. Diabetes insipidus presented during the first procedure.
• After the propofol infusion was begun, the urine output increased dramatically.
• The patient exhibited other signs of diabetes insipidus, ie, increasing sodium concentration and low urinary osmolality.
• Thirty minutes after the propofol infusion was stopped, the urine stream decreased to a discontinuous drip, then finally an occasional drip.
• Diabetes insipidus causes abundant production and excretion of dilute urine, often with a concomitant increase in serum osmolality.
• Diabetes insipidus may result in severe derangement of plasma electrolytes and osmolality, occasionally leading to death.

A case in which the intraoperative administration of propofol was strongly associated with an acute episode of diabetes insipidus is presented.