Central pontine myelinolysis

Central pontine myelinolysis (pronunciation: sen-truhl pon-teen my-uh-lin-oh-lee-sis) is a neurological condition involving severe damage to the myelin sheath of nerve cells in the brainstem, more specifically in the area known as the pons. The damage is caused by the rapid correction of low sodium levels in the blood (hyponatremia).

Etymology

The term "Central pontine myelinolysis" is derived from the Latin pontis meaning "bridge", referring to the pons in the brain, and myelinolysis meaning "destruction of myelin".

Symptoms

Symptoms of central pontine myelinolysis may include difficulty speaking (dysarthria), difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), weakness or paralysis of the arms and legs, and impaired consciousness. In severe cases, it can lead to locked-in syndrome, a condition in which a person is conscious but cannot move or communicate.

Causes

Central pontine myelinolysis is most commonly caused by the rapid correction of hyponatremia, a condition characterized by low levels of sodium in the blood. It can also be associated with conditions such as alcoholism, malnutrition, and liver disease.

Treatment

There is no specific treatment for central pontine myelinolysis. Management focuses on supportive care and preventing further damage by avoiding rapid correction of hyponatremia.

Related Terms

• Myelin
• Brainstem
• Pons
• Hyponatremia
• Locked-in syndrome
• Alcoholism
• Malnutrition
• Liver disease

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Central pontine myelinolysis
• Wikipedia's article - Central pontine myelinolysis

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