Alcoholism,Hyponatraemia and Central Neurological Damage: More than Pontine Myelinolysis?

Abstract

Three patients with alcoholism and severe hyponatremia are described. Permanent neurological damage occurred in each case with cerebral, cerebellar or pontine damage from infarction or haemorrhage following correction of the biochemical disturbance. No patient developed Central Pontine Myelinolysis (CPM), the condition usually associated with profound hyponatremia and its correction.

Keywords

Alcoholism hyponatraemia iatrogenic correction permanent neurological damage

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