Unsuspected urethral stricture presenting as acute water intoxication

We report a case of an unsuspected urethral stricture that caused acute water intoxication with generalized convulsions. The patient drank excessive amounts of water in an attempt to relieve obstruction. Osmolality, water balance and renal function returned to normal after relief of obstruction. A urethral stricture should be considered in the diagnosis of a patient with severe dilutional hyponatremia.