[Hyponatraemic encephalopathy and rhabdomyolysis. Complications after preparation for colonoscopy with mannitol]

In the preparation for colonoscopy, it is necessary to drink a great deal of often hypo-osmotic fluid. Therefore, the electrolytes and intra- and extracellular water are disequilibrated. Most of the patients tolerate this without any subjective or objective symptoms. In our case, a young male patient suffered from a severe hyponatriaemia with encephalopathy for more than 48 h through the preparation for an elective ambulant colonoscopy with mannite. Furthermore, he developed a rhabdomyolysis (either through lying on the floor in coma for more than 9 h, through the hyponatriaemia itself or through compensation of the hyponatriaemia) that lasted for ca. 1 week.