title: Central Pontine Myelinolysis Induced by Alcohol Withdrawal: A Case Report.
abstract: Central pontine myelinolysis (CPM) is a demyelinating disorder characterized by the loss of myelin in the center of the basis pons, and is mainly caused by the rapid correction of hyponatremia. We report the case of a young woman who presented with gait disturbance and alcohol withdrawal, and who was eventually diagnosed with CPM. Generally, the cause and pathogenesis of CPM in chronic alcoholics remain unclear. In this cases, the CPM may be unrelated to hyponatremia or its correction. However, it is possible that the osmotic pressure changes due to refeeding syndrome after alcohol withdrawal was the likely cause in this case. This case illustrates the need for avoiding hasty, and possibly incomplete diagnoses, and performing more intensive test procedures to ensure a correct diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Kosin University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea.
authors.forename: Jae Ho
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-3556-4194
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Kosin University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea.
authors.forename: Sae Hyun
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-3151-7227
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Kosin University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea.
authors.forename: Ho Joong
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-0607-2799
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Jeong
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Kosin University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea.
authors.forename: Young Joo
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-0640-8766
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Sim
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Kosin University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea.
authors.forename: Dong Kyu
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-9484-6562
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Kosin University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea.
authors.forename: Ghi Chan
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-4954-3175
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Kim
keywords: Alcohol withdrawal; Central pontine myelinolysis