Central pontine myelinolysis after rapid correction of hyponatremia: a magnetic resonance imaging study.
We describe a patient with severe hyponatremia (serum sodium 94 mmol/L) who developed encephalopathy and decorticate posturing after a 29 mmol/L rise in serum sodium concentration during the first 24 hours of correction. High-resolution computed tomography of the pons was normal during the first, second, and twelfth weeks of the illness. Subsequent magnetic resonance imaging revealed a pontine lesion consistent with central pontine myelinolysis.
Brunner
J E
JE
Department of Internal Medicine, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI 48202.
Redmond
J M
JM
Haggar
A M
AM
Elias
S B
SB
D000328:Adult; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007010:Hyponatremia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009186:Myelin Sheath / Q000473:pathology*; D011149:Pons / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed