A PATHOLOGIST'S colleagues will be told of a man's death to raise awareness of a little-known but potentially fatal blood plasma condition.

An inquest was told Robert Walley died after excessive alcohol caused the level of sodium in his blood to drop "enormously" and trigger a brain seizure.

Pathologist Dr Andrew Hitchcock told North Staffordshire Coroner's Court he would inform peers of the circumstances of the case.

The level of sodium in Mr Walley's body was rated at 107, as opposed to a usual range of 140-150.

The court heard the 29-year-old, of Hilary Street, Cobridge, had a history of depression, and abusing alcohol and occasionally drugs.

The former decorator had drunk a large bottle of Lambrini and smoked heroin the day before his death.

He was taken to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire complaining of abdominal pains and his blood alcohol level was 232 milligrams, compared to a drink-drive limit of 80.

The court heard potassium levels were almost corrected before his death, but the sodium was not.

Mr Walley died after suffering a brain seizure on July 12, 2008.

A&E consultant Dr Magnus Harrison said treatment was carried out at an "appropriate level" and was adequate.

Death was recorded as alcoholic-associated hyponatraemia. Secondary was alcoholic liver disease.

Assistant deputy coroner Margaret Jones recorded a narrative verdict, saying: "He died as a result of dependency on alcohol."