Renal Sodium Loss and Bronchogenic Carcinoma

Abstract

The association of renal loss of sodium with diseases of the lungs has been reported for some years. Winkler and Crankshaw,¹ in 1938, called attention to 15 cases of pulmonary tuberculosis in which low-serum chloride levels were associated with increased urinary losses of chloride. From their data they inferred that serum sodium levels were depressed too, and that urinary losses of sodium were excessive. They reported also a similar condition in a patient having carcinoma of the lung with a complicating mycotic infection. Since then, further attention has been drawn to the association of hyponatremia and pulmonary tuberculosis.² In 1957 Schwartz and associates³ reported 2 cases of bronchogenic carcinoma in which hyponatremia developed because of an unexplained failure of renal sodium conservation. From their studies they concluded that the renal sodium loss was due to continued inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (ADH). In 1959 Roberts⁴ reported