Central pontine myelinolysis after rapid correction of hyponatremia: A magnetic resonance imaging study

Abstract

We describe a patient with severe hyponatremia (serum sodium 94 mmol/L) who developed encephalopathy and decorticate posturing after a 29 mmol/L rise in serum sodium concentration during the first 24 hours of correction. High-resolution computed tomography of the pons was normal during the first, second, and twelfth weeks of the illness. Subsequent magnetic resonance imaging revealed a pontine lesion consistent with central pontine myelinolysis.