[Edemas with hypernatremia. Mechanism and treatment (author's transl)].

The discrepancy between the finding of hypernatremia--a manifestation of extra-cellular fluid depletion--and the presence of edema--a manifestation of increased ECF--is best explained by the patient's inability to mobilize edemas to compensate intra-vascular dehydratation. Treatment must start by the administration of hypotonic solutions, as hypernatremia is dangerous for the brain.