Logo image
Back
Central pontine myelinolysis with meticulous correction of hyponatraemia in chronic alcoholics
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Central pontine myelinolysis with meticulous correction of hyponatraemia in chronic alcoholics

Konark Malhotra and Luis Ortega
BMJ case reports, v 2013(jun21 1), pp bcr2013009970-bcr2013009970
21 Jun 2013
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bcr-2013-009970
PMID: 23813514
url
https://doi.org/10.1136/bcr-2013-009970View
Published, Version of Record (VoR)Open Access (License Unspecified),  Open

Abstract

Alcoholism - complications Chronic Disease Humans Hyponatremia - complications Hyponatremia - therapy Magnetic Resonance Imaging Male Middle Aged Myelinolysis, Central Pontine - complications Myelinolysis, Central Pontine - pathology Treatment Outcome
Central pontine myelinolysis is a demyelinating disorder that arises due to osmolar disturbances in the cerebral microenvironment characterised by loss of the myelin sheath of neurons. The diffusion-weighting imaging sequence of MRI is the most sensitive diagnostic imaging modality for myelinolysis. The rapid correction of hyponatraemia by >20-25 mmol/L/48 h has been known for a long time as a prime cause of osmotic demyelination. Various other comorbidities in hyponatraemic patients are well known that can lead to osmotic demyelination such as alcoholism, hypoxaemia, severe liver disease, malignancy, burns, liver transplantation and malnutrition. Chronic alcohol abusers with additional liver disease and malnutrition have altered osmotic equilibrium at baseline that predisposes them to osmotic demyelination. We suggest a more cautious and meticulous approach should be followed in these patients to avoid the dreaded complication.

Metrics

8 Record Views
13 citations in Scopus

Details

Logo image