[Serious complications following a marathon run: interactive case report of a dramatic course].

A marathon runner collapses after crossing the finish line and shows neurological disorders. Aftertreatment at the scene hyponatremia and cerebral edema are found at hospital admission. Thepatient is treated for "exercise-associated hyponatremia" (EAH) on the ICU for six days. This raredisease occurs following endurance exercise and is based on an acute dilutionalhyponatremia.Symptoms include nausea and vomiting, desorientation, dizziness, seizures or coma. Therapyincludes fluid restriction and application of hypertonic saline. Plasma sodium concentration shouldbe checked at the scene in all collapsed athletes showing neurological symptoms to differentiatebetween exercise-associated hyponatremia and dehydration. © Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York.