Central Pontine Myelinolysis in Patients With Inadvertent Intravenous Fluid Therapy: A Case Report Series

Abstract

Central pontine myelinolysis is an acquired demyelinating disease. It is commonly associated with chronic alcoholics, electrolyte imbalance and chronically debilitated patients. It has predilection for involvement of central portion of basis pontis; however, it may involve axons in the putamina, caudate nuclei, thalami, cerebellum, splenium of the corpus callosum and subcortical white matter. [1] The term "osmotic demyelination syndrome" is similar to "central pontine myelinolysis," but also includes areas outside the pons. [2] It is characterised by loss of myelin and oligodendroglia with relative neuron sparing.