Cerebral edema during the management of diabetic ketoacidosis in an adult with new onset diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Cerebral edema associated with Diabetes Ketoacidosis (DKA) is a rare but frequently fatal complication typically occurring 4 to 12 hours after initiation of treatment, but it can develop any time during DKA management. Some risk factors for DKA-related cerebral edema have been identified. Diagnosis of this lethal condition is based in clinical grounds, mainly by deterioration of the level of consciousness and CT-brain appearance. Treatment should be focussed on prevention by minimizing all the known risk factors.