Introduction
Central pontine myelinolysis* is a neurological condition involving severe damage to the myelin sheath of nerve cells in the pons (an area of the brainstem).
Symptoms
Symptoms depend on the regions of the brain involved. Prior to its onset, patients may present with the neurological signs and symptoms of hyponatraemic encephalopathy such as nausea and vomiting, confusion, headache and seizures. These symptoms may resolve with normalisation of the serum sodium concentration. Three to five days later, a second phase of neurological manifestations occurs correlating with the onset of myelinolysis. Observable immediate precursors may include seizures, disturbed consciousness, gait changes, and decrease or cessation of respiratory function.
Causes
It is predominately treatment-induced.
Prevalence
Unknown
*We run research programs into this condition.