title: Central pontine myelinolysis secondary to hyperglycaemia.
abstract: Central pontine myelinolysis is characterised by focal osmotic demyelination within the pons. Its clinical presentation varies, but may include acute paralysis, dysarthria and dysphagia. The cause is traditionally associated with overzealous correction of hyponatraemia in patients who are malnourished, alcoholic or chronically ill. However, it may develop in the context of normal serum sodium, since rapid gradient shifts in brainstem osmolalities can occur in other ways. We present an unusual example of central pontine myelinolysis caused by osmotic shifts secondary to hyperglycaemia in a person with type 1 diabetes mellitus and with consistently normal serum sodium concentrations.
authors.affiliation: King's College London School of Medicine, London, UK.
authors.forename: Harry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Donnelly
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroradiology, King's College Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: Steve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Connor
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Princess Royal University Hospital, Orpington, Kent, UK.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Quirk
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004401:Dysarthria; D006801:Humans; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000150:complications*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D017590:Myelinolysis, Central Pontine / Q000209:etiology*; D011149:Pons; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: CENTRAL PONTINE MYELINOLYSIS; DIABETES MELLITUS