Global Spine J 2013;3:257–260.

Diabetes insipidus (DI) is characterized by polydipsia, polyuria, and resultanthypernatremia.Hypernatremiamayprogress from thirst, confusion, andweakness to seizures or coma. The etiology of DImay be either neurogenic or nephrogenic. Neurogenic DI is caused by a deficiency in antidiuretic hormone (ADH) produc-tion, and nephrogenic DI is caused by an insensitivity of the kidneys to ADH.With either cause of DI, thebody loses excessive freewater and leads to hypernatremia and a hyperosmolar state, which may become symptomatic if left untreated. Hyponatre-mia following spinal surgery is uncommon and may be due to the syndrome of inappropriate ADH release (SIADH).1–7 DI is described following penetrating spinal cord trauma, but the authors are aware of no known reported cases of DI following spinal surgery.8–12 We present a case of DI following spinal surgery for scoliotic deformity correction