Central Pontine and EXtrapontine Myelinolysis.
10.5124/jkma.2001.44.12.1329
- Author:
Byung Jo KIM
;
Dae Hie LEE
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Central pontine myelinolysis;
Extrapontine myelinolysis;
Cognitive dysfunction;
Dementia
- MeSH:
Aged;
Brain;
Dementia;
Diagnosis;
Female;
Humans;
Hyponatremia;
Intensive Care Units;
Magnetic Resonance Imaging;
Memory;
Metabolic Diseases;
Myelinolysis, Central Pontine*;
Pneumonia;
Problem Behavior
- From:Journal of the Korean Medical Association
2001;44(12):1329-1335
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
The knowledge about nutritional, toxic, and metabolic causes of dementia is particularly important, because they may be reversible. Central pontine myelinolysis(CPM) is one of these causes. CPM is a well known but rare metabolic disease of unknown etiology linked to overly aggressive correction of hyponatremia. We report a 74-year-old woman who developed disorientation, memory disturbance, and behavioral problem following intensive care unit management for pneumonia. Mini-mental status examination-Korean version(MMSE-K) study revealed severe cognitive dysfunction. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed changes consistent with CPM and extrapontine myelinolysis. After supportive care, patient's clinical status was significantly improved. We suggest that a metabolic problem such as CPM should be considered in the diagnosis of acute or subacute cognitive deterioration in elderly patients.
