Brain Neurorehabil.  2017 Mar;10(1):e6. 10.12786/bn.2017.10.e6.

Central and Extrapontine Myelinolysis after Alcohol Withdrawal and Correction of Hypernatremia in a Chronic Alcoholic: a Case Report

• Jang CW
• Park HK
• Kim HS

• KMID: 2377842
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12786/bn.2017.10.e6

Abstract

Osmotic demyelination syndrome (ODS) is a demyelinating disorder related to the rapid correction of hyponatremia. It usually affects the pontine area; hence, the name central pontine myelinolysis (CPM). However, it rarely occurs with the correction of hypernatremia and hyperosmolarity and involves extrapontine areas. A 56-year-old chronic alcoholic had been admitted with a history of confusion. He had been in alcohol withdrawal for 4 days. Laboratory examinations showed severe hypernatremia and hyperosmolarity. After serum sodium level was normalized; however, his clinical course did not improve and deteriorated to semicoma progressively. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed abnormal signal intensity in the pontine and extrapontine areas, including the basal ganglia, thalamus, and cerebral cortices. This is the first case report of combined central pontine and extrapontine demyelination after alcohol withdrawal and correction of hypernatremia in a chronic alcoholic.

Keyword

Basal Ganglia; Myelinolysis Central Pontine; Alcoholics; Hypernatremia

MeSH Terms

Alcoholics*
Basal Ganglia
Cerebral Cortex
Demyelinating Diseases
Humans
Hypernatremia*
Hyponatremia
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Middle Aged
Myelinolysis, Central Pontine*
Sodium
Thalamus
Sodium