Central pontine myelinolysis in a chronic alcoholic: A clinical and brain magnetic resonance imaging follow-up

Introduction. Central pontine myelinolysis (CPM) is a noninflammatory, demyelinating lesion usually localised in the basis pontis. Chronic alcoholism is frequently associated with this condition which may have a variable clinical outcome. Until now, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) follow-...

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Main Authors: Dujmović Irena, Vitas Jelena, Zlatarić Nataša, Drulović Jelena
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Serbia, University of Defence, Belgrade 2013-01-01
Series:Vojnosanitetski Pregled
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Online Access:http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/0042-8450/2013/0042-84501308785D.pdf
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author Dujmović Irena
Vitas Jelena
Zlatarić Nataša
Drulović Jelena
author_facet Dujmović Irena
Vitas Jelena
Zlatarić Nataša
Drulović Jelena
author_sort Dujmović Irena
collection DOAJ
description Introduction. Central pontine myelinolysis (CPM) is a noninflammatory, demyelinating lesion usually localised in the basis pontis. Chronic alcoholism is frequently associated with this condition which may have a variable clinical outcome. Until now, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) follow-up in alcoholic CPM cases after alcohol withdrawal has been rarely described. Case report. We reported a 30- year-old male with a 12-year history of alcohol abuse, who presented with inability to stand and walk, nausea, vomiting and somnolence. Neurological examination revealed: impared fixation on lateral gaze, dysarthria, mild spastic quadriparesis, truncal and extremity ataxia, sock-like hypesthesia and moderate decrease in vibration sense in legs. Brain MRI showed a trident-shaped non-enhancing pontine lesion highly suggestive of CPM. After an eight-month alcoholfree follow-up period, the patient’s clinical status significantly improved, while the extent of MRI pontine lesion was merely slightly reduced. Conclusion. The presented case demonstrates that CPM in chronic alcoholics may have a benign clinical course after alcohol withdrawal, which is not necessarily associated with the reduction of lesions on brain MRI. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 175031]
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publisher Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Serbia, University of Defence, Belgrade
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series Vojnosanitetski Pregled
spelling doaj-art-294785636ca94dfb8e467e12a03ee2ed2025-08-20T03:54:47ZengMinistry of Defence of the Republic of Serbia, University of Defence, BelgradeVojnosanitetski Pregled0042-84502013-01-0170878578810.2298/VSP1308785DCentral pontine myelinolysis in a chronic alcoholic: A clinical and brain magnetic resonance imaging follow-upDujmović IrenaVitas JelenaZlatarić NatašaDrulović JelenaIntroduction. Central pontine myelinolysis (CPM) is a noninflammatory, demyelinating lesion usually localised in the basis pontis. Chronic alcoholism is frequently associated with this condition which may have a variable clinical outcome. Until now, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) follow-up in alcoholic CPM cases after alcohol withdrawal has been rarely described. Case report. We reported a 30- year-old male with a 12-year history of alcohol abuse, who presented with inability to stand and walk, nausea, vomiting and somnolence. Neurological examination revealed: impared fixation on lateral gaze, dysarthria, mild spastic quadriparesis, truncal and extremity ataxia, sock-like hypesthesia and moderate decrease in vibration sense in legs. Brain MRI showed a trident-shaped non-enhancing pontine lesion highly suggestive of CPM. After an eight-month alcoholfree follow-up period, the patient’s clinical status significantly improved, while the extent of MRI pontine lesion was merely slightly reduced. Conclusion. The presented case demonstrates that CPM in chronic alcoholics may have a benign clinical course after alcohol withdrawal, which is not necessarily associated with the reduction of lesions on brain MRI. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 175031]http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/0042-8450/2013/0042-84501308785D.pdfdemyelinating diseasesponsdiagnosismagnetic resonance imagingalcoholismtreatment outcome
spellingShingle Dujmović Irena
Vitas Jelena
Zlatarić Nataša
Drulović Jelena
Central pontine myelinolysis in a chronic alcoholic: A clinical and brain magnetic resonance imaging follow-up
Vojnosanitetski Pregled
demyelinating diseases
pons
diagnosis
magnetic resonance imaging
alcoholism
treatment outcome
title Central pontine myelinolysis in a chronic alcoholic: A clinical and brain magnetic resonance imaging follow-up
title_full Central pontine myelinolysis in a chronic alcoholic: A clinical and brain magnetic resonance imaging follow-up
title_fullStr Central pontine myelinolysis in a chronic alcoholic: A clinical and brain magnetic resonance imaging follow-up
title_full_unstemmed Central pontine myelinolysis in a chronic alcoholic: A clinical and brain magnetic resonance imaging follow-up
title_short Central pontine myelinolysis in a chronic alcoholic: A clinical and brain magnetic resonance imaging follow-up
title_sort central pontine myelinolysis in a chronic alcoholic a clinical and brain magnetic resonance imaging follow up
topic demyelinating diseases
pons
diagnosis
magnetic resonance imaging
alcoholism
treatment outcome
url http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/0042-8450/2013/0042-84501308785D.pdf
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AT vitasjelena centralpontinemyelinolysisinachronicalcoholicaclinicalandbrainmagneticresonanceimagingfollowup
AT zlataricnatasa centralpontinemyelinolysisinachronicalcoholicaclinicalandbrainmagneticresonanceimagingfollowup
AT drulovicjelena centralpontinemyelinolysisinachronicalcoholicaclinicalandbrainmagneticresonanceimagingfollowup