Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine  2017;41(1):148-152

doi:10.5535/arm.2017.41.1.148

Central Pontine Myelinolysis Induced by Alcohol Withdrawal: A Case Report.

Jae Ho KIM 1 ; Sae Hyun KIM ; Ho Joong JEONG ; Young Joo SIM ; Dong Kyu KIM ; Ghi Chan KIM

Affiliations

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Keywords

Central pontine myelinolysis; Alcohol withdrawal

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

English

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.