Central pontine myelinolysis. its nosographic setting among the neuropathologic lesions caused by alcoholism
Reznik, M.; Lifrange, E.; Mouchette, R.; Evrard, P.
Revue Medicale de Liege 42(7): 285-290
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0370-629X PMID: 3589282 Document Number: 297909
A female patient aged 57 yrs. was transferred to a psychiatric clinic to implement an alcoholic withdrawal program and for exploration of right parietal-occipital headaches consequent upon a recent cranial trauma. Clinical examination was practically normal, and her stay in the hospital did not pose any therapeutic problems. Among the various complementary examinations, which ranged within normal limits, a cerebral computed tomography scan implemented on the tenth day of hospitalization evidenced a heterogenous hypodense area in the postero-median region of the pons. Four days after this examination, the patient died suddenly of a cardio-respiratory arrest. The neuropathological examination detected a central myelinolysis of the pons responsible for the images observed in the tomodensitometric examination of the brain. This case of central cerebellar myelinolysis was discussed with reference to neuropathological lesions provoked by alcoholism.