title: Central pontine myelinolysis in a case of alcohol dependence syndrome.
abstract: Osmotic Demyelination Syndrome includes Central Pontine Myelinolysis and Extrapontine Myelinolysis. This condition has been described in cases of chronic Alcohol Dependence Syndrome and in rapid correction of hyponatremia. Though we frequently see patients with Alcohol Dependence Syndrome presenting with complicated withdrawal, Central Pontine Myelinolysis remains largely undetected and under-reported in literature. We present here a case of protracted Delirium Tremens where MRI brain revealed Central Pontine Myelinolysis. Subsequently cognitive assessment revealed significant dysfunction and brain SPECT showed hypo-perfusion of the frontal lobes. Osmotic Demyelination Syndrome should be suspected in protracted Delirium Tremens.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Armed Forces Medical College, Pune, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Kaushik
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chatterjee
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Lokmanya Tilak Memorial Medical College (Sion Hospital), Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Austin B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Fernandes
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Base Hospital, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Sunil
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Goyal
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, INHS Asvini, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Sunitha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shanker
keywords: Alcohol dependence syndrome; central pontine myelinolysis; delirium tremens